A new temperature record has been set in Penrith with the mercury rising to a stunning 47.3 degrees in the region at 3.25pm today.

Incredibly it broke a record just 90 minutes old – with a new benchmark of 47.1 degrees at at 1.55pm.

The Bureau said a short time ago that based on preliminary data,

Penrith has broken the all time maximum temperature record not just for the local area but the entire Sydney Metropolitan area.

The Bureau had originally predicted a top of 45 degrees in Penrith today.

By 9am, it was already 30 degrees and the 40 degree mark was passed shortly before 11am.

While a slight reprieve from the hot weather is expected later this afternoon,

Penrith is likely to swelter through the night ahead of another 40 degree day tomorrow.

Tuesday will be 39 degrees before the maximum drops some 10 degrees on Wednesday with a top of 29 predicted.

Topping 47 degrees made Penrith the hottest place on Earth this afternoon.

A total fire ban remains in place.