Queenslanders are being warned to expect extreme temperatures when a lengthy heatwave hits much of the state.
The mercury is tipped to soar over the weekend before the heatwave peaks next week, and there'll be no respite until Friday.
Temperatures will push towards the mid-30s in southeast Queensland as early as Saturday. Inland areas are headed for the mid-40s.
Central and northern Queensland also expected to swelter, with temperatures in many parts of the state expected to be eight to nine degrees above average.
Vulnerable people, including the elderly and sick, have been urged to make a plan now to keep themselves cool, with heatwaves the most deadly weather phenomenon Australia experiences.
"You really can't overstate how serious heatwaves are in Australia. The last significant heatwave was in 2009 in Victoria and South Australia and at least 430 people died in that heatwave," forecaster Sam Campbell told ABC radio.
Brisbane is expected to get to 31C on Friday, before temperatures head steadily north from there. The capital is expecting 34C on Saturday, 35C on Sunday, and a peak of 36C on Monday.
Mid-30s temperatures will continue until at least Thursday.
Those trends will be matched on the Gold and Sunshine coasts, and in central and north Queensland.
Outback parts of the state that are used to extreme heat will get an extra dose.
Birdsville is expected to get to 43C on Friday, and 45C on Sunday.
People are being urged to keep cool, stay indoors and be mindful of heatstroke.
