FORGET spring, Newcastle got a taste of summer on Sunday with temperatures pushing up into the high 20s in parts of the region.
It was welcome relief for a city in the midst of a lockdown and seemingly never-ending pandemic with people getting out and about for a bit of "reasonable" exercise and recreation, be it a walk, ride or a swim at beaches or around the lake.
Temperatures climbed into the mid 20s for much of the region, with Maitland and Tocal cracking 27 degrees by early afternoon.
There was a bit of smoke haze around with firefighters battling grass fires at Salt Ash and North Rothbury on Sunday and other crews conducting hazard reduction burns at Stockrington, Caves Beach, Pokolbin and Freemans Waterhole.
Monday is expected to be warm again with a top of 27 degrees preceding a late shower and chance of thunderstorms.
After that things are predicted to cool down and return to normal winter weather for the rest of the week, with rain forecast on at least Tuesday and Wednesday.
