COOLING OFF: About to be swallowed by the cool water of the Olympic pool to escape yesterday’s heat were Liam Murphy (left), Aiden Bihun (centre) and Joshua Was

SHADE, suntan lotion and cool drinks were in high demand yesterday as Wangaratta’s first real taste of summer saw the temperature soar above 36 degrees.

And for those with energy to spare, there was no better place than the Olympic pool.

Friends Aiden Bihun, Joshua Wason and Liam Murphy were among those finding relief in the cool depths of the city landmark.

Elsewhere, the Ovens River was also getting a good workout, and will continue to do so today, as the temperature is expected to climb to 35 degrees.

Although some isolated showers are expected to offer a slight reprieve - of 26 degrees - tomorrow, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting 31 and 33 degrees for Friday and Saturday.

The rest of the summer will be close to average in terms of temperature, according to the bureau’s Richard Russell.

"However, there is little chance of significant rain in the immediate future," he said, “though there is an even chance that rainfall over the three months to the end of March will be average.”