Australia Weather News

Outback Queensland is sweltering with temperatures more than 10 degrees Celsius above the October average, and the heat is expected to build over the coming days.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for the next three days, concentrated in the west and north-west.

Senior forecaster Baden Gilbert said maximum temperatures were creeping toward the mid-40s in the southern interior and south-west.

"It's pretty exceptional for this time of year," he said.

"In terms of our heatwave warning, they're currently focused on the north-west and the west where that pulse of heat is currently sitting."

The record for the hottest October day in Queensland is 45.1C.

The tiny dust bowl town of Birdsville is forecast to hit 46C today, after the mercury reached 44.9C on Monday.

"The key watch point today will be those peak temperatures, particularly in the south-west," Mr Gilbert said.

He said the heatwave would shift towards eastern Queensland later in the week.

"The focus will be around the Northern Goldfields and the Upper Flinders, with places like Georgetown, Richmond and Hughenden, particularly, observing extreme heatwave conditions in the back half of this week," he said.

South-east corner not spared

It will be a fine and sunny day for residents in Brisbane and the south-east coast today.

"Temperatures for the south-east [will be] above average but not too far above average, just poking around that 30-degree mark for Brisbane, into the low 30s further inland and high 20s on the coast," Mr Gilbert said.

"We're looking at a couple of spike days in terms of the heat, particularly on Thursday.

"We could get well up into the mid-30s for Brisbane, even reaching up to the high 30s for Ipswich."

Along the east coast and in Far North Queensland, temperatures will be above average today and the bureau is forecasting dry conditions for most of the week.

"The next best chance for some meaningful rain will only really be from Sunday onwards," Mr Gilbert said.

A cooling trend is expected to bring some reprieve to the outback from Monday.

Swims and sprinklers

In the heart of the heatwave, outback primary school students have gathered for a swimming and arts camp.

They have journeyed hundreds of kilometres through the Channel Country to reach Bedourie in far western Queensland.

Bedourie State School principal Danielle Carige said she was glad they had planned water-based activities.

"We've picked a very hot week, but at least we can all come together before the [summer] rains set in," she said.

"We'll be putting out all the stops. Air con will be going; we'll be having drink breaks regularly.

"At the same time, [we'll be] getting used to the heat that we know we get out here."

Fire bans extended

Fire bans already in place have been extended, with the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) warning that conditions are perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly.

The QFD has extended the fire ban for central Queensland residents until October 27.

The bans in Townsville and Mackay will stay in place until November 4.