Sydney's growing legions of home-based workers could be tempted to head to the coast in coming days as summer-like temperatures and warm seas offer a welcome distraction from coronavirus concerns.

The city's temperatures will start to warm on Wednesday with tops ranging from 26 to 29 degrees over the Sydney Basin, before climbing into the 30s in the west on Thursday and close to 30 on the coast. Friday's maximums will reach 33 to 36 degrees, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts.

Clovelly Beach on Tuesday. Temperatures are set to climb in coming days. Credit:James Brickwood

"If you live near the beach, you might be tempted to start work a bit later," said Weatherzone meteorologist Felix Levesque. The forecast light winds will create "ideal beach conditions", with clear skies and water temperatures of about 22 degrees, he said.

The source of the warmth is "a wave of heat" that has been building for some days over the interior of Australia, which will make its way from South Australia into Victoria and NSW in coming days, Mr Levesque said.