Katherine is bracing for a record-breaking weekend as an extreme heatwave predicted for the western part of the Top End ripples inland.
But it is the eight consecutive days of soaring temperatures above 40 degrees which is the worry.
Only two days in November last year reached a sizzling 40 degrees or higher, and in 2017, the highest temperature didn't even break the bank.
The Bureau of Meteorology has called it an 'unusual' event, with just three 40 degree days more typical of the month.
"Temperatures soared in the north over the weekend, mainly due to cloud-free skies and drier air masses over the north with near record maximums in some locations," a bureau spokeswoman said.
"The drier air also led to some almost dry season level humidity during the past few days."
Parts of the Western Top End will see extreme heatwave conditions this weekend, as the day time and night time temperatures are forecast to be unusually high for this time of year.
The bureau has predicted near record-breaking temperatures for the weekend.
While the town's heat record remains a unendurable 46.2, Tindal records, where Katherine's weather has been recorded since 1969 cites 42.5 degrees on November 10, 2006 as the one to beat.
BOM has predicted a top of 43 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, a minuscule chance of rain towards the end, and high humidity.
Tops of 42 have been predicted all this week, and while it hasn't quite reached it yet, today came close with a high of 41.8 recorded at 2pm.
