Severe heatwave warning for much of Qld

A heatwave warning has been issued for residents in southeast, northern and northwest Queensland (Glenn Hunt/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Queensland residents are being urged to keep fluids up and stay in the shade or indoors with a severe heatwave forecast as temperatures soar this week.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for a vast swathe of the state stretching from Coolangatta north to Townsville and across to the Northern Territory border.