Queenslanders are sweltering through the hottest February heatwave on record with temperatures soaring across the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology says a statewide record of average hot temperatures was broken when the mercury surpassed the previous high of 40.23C, set 12 months ago, to reach 40.51C on Monday.
The outback town of Winton was the hottest place in the state on Wednesday with a top of 46.5C, a day after it reached 45.
A third straight hot and humid day comes after southeast Queenslanders were battered by stormy conditions overnight, leaving thousands without power in Logan and Redlands.
The BOM is forecasting hotter conditions in parts of northwest Queensland on Thursday, with Julia Creek tipped to eclipse 46C.
"Across the state as a whole it will probably be slighter cooler but parts of western Queensland might be a little warmer," BoM forecaster James Thompson told AAP.
Mr Thompson said there would be some reprieve on the weekend as temperatures ease across the coastal regions, but remain hot in the state's west.
