The conveyor belt of cold fronts that normally sweep through the south of the country were mainly absent this month.

This allowed prolonged periods of sustained heating through the interior.

When one finally did arrive the hot air was drawn southeast towards New South Wales.

The effect was huge, as many know, temperatures in the 40s, sweltering nights, records smashed and then smashed again.

Some notable November records that fell are:

1. Sydney recorded their warmest November in 150 years of records (combined maximums and minimums);

2. Parkes hit 34 degrees on average this month. Their warmest in 82 years;

3. Wagga Wagga averaged 33.9 degrees (maximums), a 67 year November record; and

4. Canberra managed an average maximum this month of 29.3 degrees, their hottest November in 70 years of records.

The big question is: Does this mean we will get a record hot summer?

Not necessarily - based on past events, it is a dangerous way to forecast weather.

However, the summer is looking likely to be warmer and drier than usual due to an intensifying El Nino event.