Temperatures are expected to reach around 30 degrees today, there's a strong wind warning on the coast and humidity is under 30%.
The unusually hot conditions for early spring come after weeks of dry, windy and warm weather in Newcastle and the Hunter.
While there is a small chance of showers and some thunder later this afternoon and evening, mostly over the lower Hunter, no significant rain is expected for at least the next few days.
Winds are from the northwest reaching up to 50km/h in Newcastle, then turning west to southwesterly and easing slightly this evening.
Laura Ryan from the Rural Fire Service says seven areas across NSW have a very high fire danger today, which is a serious level of risk.
She says it's quite unusual to have so much of the State in such high fire danger so early in the season.
Fire authorities recently announced that most of NSW, including the Hunter, will experience above average fire conditions this season.
NSW RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, says the warmest winter on record, coupled with dry conditions, has fuelled more than 1180 fires across the State over the past month.
He says the increased fire activity has brought forward the start of the official Bushfire Danger Period for many areas, including the Upper Hunter.
Crews from the RFS are currently working on more than 100 scheduled hazard reductions each week.
Shane says everyone should prepare for the coming fire season by completing a Bushfire Survival Plan.
His top three tips are to clear your home's gutters, maintain gardens by cutting back shrubs and overhanging trees and moving mulch away from the house, and having a hose that reaches right around the building.
Conditions are expected to ease tomorrow, with a maximum temperature of 24 to 26 and the westerly winds dropping to 30km/h, becoming light by the middle of the day.
You can check any current fires on the RFS website.
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