Tamworth weather: record-breaking heatwave and scorching hot start to summer sees crowds flock to Scully Park pool as water begins flowing into Tamworth Olympic Pool

The mercury in Tamworth has soared past 38, 39, even 40 degrees at times during what has been a five-day heatwave, which has baked much of the region.

And, there's been no relief at night with the city sweltering through a record-breaking uncomfortable night on Tuesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology gauge (BoM) at Tamworth airport clocked a minimum temperature of 27.2 degrees overnight on Tuesday - the warmest December night in the airport station's history, dating back decades.

Air-conditioning and indoors has been the pick of many, but the city's heatwave has sent residents in search of a way to keep cool.

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Tamworth Regional Council confirmed more than 2,000 people have made use of the public pool at Scully Park in the last five days alone.

The centre is the only council pool open in the city at the moment.

COVID-19 rules for capacity have not caused too much heat at the Scully Park pool, as searing temperatures keep locals out of the sun for too long.

Councils sport and recreation manager Paul Kelly said maximum capacity had been reached on a few weekends recently, but people had been understanding.

"Most people are generally coming to the pool for short periods of time, meaning we have not had to turn away as many people," he said.

Scully Park Pool has been open since October, and Tamworth Regional Council statistics show about 9,000 people have jumped in since the gates opened and days warmed up.

Mr Kelly said that was in line with last year's numbers, but there was a twist.

"We have had less schools participating in learn to swim and events due to COVID-19, but our community numbers are more than last year," he told the Leader.

Beating the heat is expected to get a little easier for those people keen on the reopening of the Tamworth Olympic Pool in Kable Avenue.

The pool was slated to be up and running in the first or second week of December, after restoration works took place.

Water was spotted lapping at the bottom of the town pool on Wednesday morning, when hoses were thrown over the sides and the wet stuff began to gush in.

It's expected to take a little more time before the pool will reopen to the public, after it was closed for more than 18 months when the city was on severe water rules.

Tamworth Regional Council is expected to make a further announcement about the Kable Avenue pool on Thursday morning.