The beach weather is likely to stick around today, with Illawarra temperatures expected to hit the high 20s along the coast and crack the 30-degree mark inland.

Tomorrow is shaping up to be a real steamer with a westerly front forecast to bring strong hot winds to the region.

Nowra can expect to sweat it out at 40 degrees, while Wollongong is looking at the mid to high 30s.

 Things should cool down tomorrow afternoon with a southerly change expected to pass through Nowra about lunchtime and Wollongong later in the day.

The change will bring much cooler weather tomorrow night and possible showers over the weekend.