WITH above average temperatures on the cards for the coming weekend, Valley residents should be on the lookout for sunbaking snakes.

It has warmed up a little earlier this year and the slithery reptiles are starting to make an appearance after a lazy winter, and snake rescuer Paul Jones said he had been called out a number of times in the past couple of weeks.

"Last week I got three snakes and this week so far I have got one little carpet snake, so they are starting to come out," he said.

"I am just so busy this time of year. People are calling WIRES and then WIRES usually ring me first.

"You get them in all sorts of funny places."

Mr Jones said there would be snakes hanging around from now until the end of summer and the start of autumn.

As for the weather, the recent cold snap is well and truly over, with temperature this week expected to be in the mid-20s in Grafton and as high as 28°C or 29°C at the weekend, Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutscke said.

"Although the nights and mornings will be a little bit chilly," he said.

"From the weekend there's a good chance of it reaching the high 20s at least on Saturday.

"It doesn't look like it will cool down much when this weak cool change comes through on the weekend.

"It should be the warmest week since April, most likely."

He said the warmer temperatures were between 3-6°C above average for this time of year.

There's little to no rain expected.

 If you

spot a snake, don't approach it, phone WIRES instead 24 hours a day on 6643 4055.