Hot nights expected in southern Australian states as heatwave sweeps east

South Australia, southern parts of the Northern Territory and far western Queensland are bearing the brunt of the hot weather. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/AAP

A heatwave marked by high humidity and hot nights will hit southern Australia next week as heat that baked western parts of the country moves east.

The period of intense heat for southern and central Australia is forecast to begin from Monday and last until Thursday, with South Australia, southern parts of the Northern Territory and far western parts of Queensland bearing the brunt.