A pod of dolphins has delighted swimmers at Seven Mile Beach near Hobart this afternoon as Tasmanians flock to the water to cool off as temperatures soar.
Excited children and adults spotted the dolphins swimming close to shore, with some beachgoers initially mistaking them for sharks.
The temperature at Seven Mile Beach reached 28.7 degrees by early afternoon, with Hobart forecast to hit a maximum of 34 degrees today.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a high fire danger rating for the capital, with hot and windy conditions creating challenging conditions across southern Tasmania.
Winds from the north to northeast at 15 to 25km/h were expected to shift south to southwesterly by evening, providing some relief from the heat.
In the north, Launceston residents are also experiencing warm conditions with a forecast maximum of 29 degrees.
Weekend showers are forecast to bring relief across Tasmania, with rain expected in all major cities by Sunday, ending the hot start to the week.
