Get used to seeing the words ‘hot and sunny’ on the Bureau of Meteorology website.

The beginning of the month, Thursday, bought a maximum temperature of a sweltering 40 degrees with a succession of 39 to 40 degree days to follow.

Compared to this time last year the maximum temperatures at the beginning of November was in the low to mid 30s.

A spokesperson from the Bureau of Meteorology said the above-average daytime temperatures observed across Australia during 2018 are likely to continue into early 2019.

“November to January days are very likely to be warmer than average and the nights are also likely to be warmer than average.”

Throughout the first week of November the chance of rain is no more than 5% so kiss your dreams of relief through the skies opening goodbye.

The Bureau's ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) Outlook remains at El Niño Alert.

The alert indicated there is approximately a 70% chance of El Niño occurring in 2018—around triple the normal likelihood.

In the Indian Ocean there are signs that a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is underway.

“An El Niño and a positive IOD increase the likelihood of a dry and warm end to the year across most of Australia,” the spokesperson said.

“They also raise the risk of heatwaves and bush fire weather.”

Chances of a warmer than average three months are greater than 80% over most of the mainland.

The Bureau's Acting General Manager, Public Safety Services, Jeff Perkins, said a heatwave is defined as three or more days of high maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for a given location.

"Severe and extreme heat events have claimed more lives than any other natural hazard in Australia since European settlement," Mr Perkins said.

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