Queensland is set to swelter through a four-day heatwave to kick off spring, with temperatures forecast to peak at a scorching 38C on Sunday.
Much of the state is expected to enter a heatwave from Thursday, while temperature highs in Brisbane are expected to range from 31C on Thursday to 33C on Sunday.
On Thursday Doomadgee is forecast to hit 35C, alongside Kowanyama, Urandangi, Bedourie and Boulia.
Chermside, Ferny Grove, Kenmore and Caboolture are expected to hit 31C, while Redcliffe and Caloundra will fare a little better with temperatures of 29C.
On Friday, Birdsville will rise to 37C, while a number of other smaller townships in western Queensland will see temperatures above 35C.
By Sunday, temperatures will peak at Doomadgee with a sweltering 38C, while southeastern areas are forecasted to see slightly cooler temperatures of around 34C in Ipswich and 32C in Brisbane.
The warm days will continue for the interior of the state, while Brisbane will move to slightly cooler temperatures from Monday.
This comes as the latest Bureau of Meteorology long-range forecast predicts that other than Far North Queensland, maximum temperatures are likely to be above average. Minimum temperatures are also expected to be above average for everywhere except the far north.
Along with the hotter weather, there is little reprieve for struggling regional families and farmers.
The BOM predicts spring rainfall in the northern and eastern parts of the state to be below average, while western Queensland could see above-average rainfall for much of the season.
Queensland’s hottest September day was on September 27, 2017, when Birdsville Airport recorded 42.8C.
Last year, Julia Creek Airport and Winton Airport had the highest September temperatures, recording figures of 40.3C on September 30.
Queensland’s hottest spring days are typically in November, with the hottest spring day recorded on November 17, 1990, when Birdsville Police Station hit a high of 48.7C.