Dragons fullback Josh Dugan was spotted doing his best James Bond impression as he surfaced from a cooling post-training recovery swim at Wollongong’s City Beach.

He wasn’t the only one working up a sweat, with temperatures across the region leaping into the 30s throughout the day.

It will be a different story across the weekend, with crowds heading out to big events advised to pack an umbrella.  

Saturday’s Port Kembla Billy Cart Derby could dodge the wet weather, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a 50 per cent chance of rain this afternoon.

However, it’s more likely truckies and motorbike riders hitting the road for Sunday’s i98FM Camp Quality Illawarra Convoy will get a bit damp.

The bureau has predicted an 80 per cent chance of rain, most likely in the morning.

Umbrellas and cardigans were the last thing on people’s minds on Friday as the Illawarra sweltered.

By mid-morning, the mercury had hit the high 20s at Albion Park Airport, reaching a top of 33.8 just before midday.

Conditions were similar at Bellambi where a top of 31 was recorded at 11am, while Kiama reached a maximum of 28 about 3pm.

But if you thought it was hot in the Illawarra, spare a thought for Nowra residents who suffered through temperatures up around the 40 degree mark.