The mini heatwave in south-eastern Australia over the coming days will be short and sharp, and the message from weather forecasters is make the most of it.

Temperatures will nudge 40 degrees in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney from today until Sunday as warm, dry north-easterly winds blanket multiple states and territories.

An advancing cold front will take hold by late Monday, paving the way for the first burst of autumnal weather this year.

Here is how the change in conditions will be felt in your region:

On Sunday, some parts of the western suburbs will bask in temperatures of 40 degrees. Spare a thought for NRL players and fans as Parramatta host West Tigers, when at the 4.05pm kick-off, the mercury is forecast to hit 37 degrees.

The encounter will likely feature additional drinks breaks to provide heat relief for players.

But by Tuesday, temperatures across Sydney will have fallen to a maximum of 24 degrees.

Qualifying sessions for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne will take place at 4pm tomorrow when temperatures are forecast to reach their highest at 37 degrees over the city centre street circuit.

Some outer Melbourne suburbs are heading for even hotter conditions, with the mercury peaking at a scorching 39 degrees in Tullamarine.

But Formula One fans can expect much cooler and wetter weather at 3pm on Sunday when the main race begins.

On Monday, residents will be waking to a top temperature of just 17 degrees, the coolest day of the year to date.

The South Australian capital will begin feeling the heat from today before it peaks tomorrow when the maximum temperatures hits a scorching 38 degrees.

In sharp contrast, the warmest it will get on Monday is just 21 degrees. Unfortunately for farmers hoping for rain, they’re forecast to receive falls of 5mm when the cold front rolls in.

The national capital is perhaps the city where the change in conditions will be felt most.

Following a top temperature of 35 degrees tomorrow, the overnight lows from Monday will plunge to single digits, making for some cold mornings.

From Tuesday, sub-zero temperatures and frost are forecast for the NSW ski fields.

Conditions across the Apple Isle will also dramatically change from early next week.

Hobart residents can look forward to a very pleasant maximum of 28 degrees tomorrow before the cold front advances and the mercury nosedives to a top of 17 degrees by Monday.

Snow showers are also heading for parts of Tasmania above 1000m, including Mount Wellington above Hobart.

The approaching chillier weather comes ahead of the March equinox next Thursday night and the end of daylight saving early next month in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT.