A heatwave continues to grip much of Queensland, with temperatures in some areas soaring above the December average by up to eight degrees Celsius.
The Bureau of Meteorology has updated its warning for severe heatwave conditions across north and central Queensland, with extreme conditions flagged in the northern interior.
The state recorded its first 45C day of the summer on Wednesday, at Birdsville on the edge of the Simpson Desert.
Meteorologist Pieter Claassen said many regional centres had exceeded 40C and there was more scorching weather on the way.
"Across the state, we're seeing temperatures four to eight degrees above average," he said.
Many south-east locations experienced their hottest December day since 2019 on Monday, but Mr Claassen warned the worst could be yet to come there too.
"Today … we could see these hottest temperatures in at least three years in December being broken again across south-east Queensland," he said.
Brisbane is forecast to hit 37C.
Heat to last until next week in parts of Qld
Temperatures are expected to peak in the south-east on Thursday, but heatwave conditions will remain in the northern and central parts of the state until next week.
"Certainly … in north-western Queensland over the weekend in the Gulf [it will be] still five to eight degrees above average, so it does take a long time for us to really see these temperatures cool down," Mr Claasen said.
"There's not really any sign at least until next week of anything blasting away or getting rid of that really, really hot air mass in the north."
Locals in outback Queensland said it was nothing unusual, despite the sweltering conditions.
"I love it, we've had it good right up until now, I'm welcoming it," Longreach woman Sue Smith said.
The mercury hit just shy of 43C in Longreach on Wednesday.
Will Seccombe, 12, said the best part of the hot weather was escaping the heat in the Thomson River, "cooling off, water skiing, swimming with mates and kayaking."
His friend, 11-year-old Archie Martin, agreed.
"Jumping off the bridge and having fun all day – you can come out here for five hours and be entertained," he said.
Heat stroke warning
With more hot weather on the way, Townsville University Hospital emergency department staff specialist Michael Durkin urged people not to underestimate the dangers of heat-related illnesses.
"I think there is an element of downplaying the risk of heat stroke in north Queensland," he said.
"Even people who operate normally in the heat throughout the year are certainly at risk.
"It's not only people who are out exposed to the heat that we need to be mindful of – the very old and the very young are particularly prone to heat illness.
"Older people who aren't able to get out as much or are maybe resistant to turning on the air conditioning or socially isolated – it's just particularly important that during a heatwave we check in with those more vulnerable people."
