Heat records have been melted across southeast Queensland, with 12 locations setting new September-high temperatures.
And as the heatwave continues a Bureau of Meteorology forecaster says more record highs could be broken along the coast between Logan and Rockhampton, but Brisbane is expected to be spared the worst of Friday's weather.
As a warm air mass moved towards the coast on Thursday parts of the southeast sweltered under record heat.
On Thursday afternoon temperatures rose up to 14C above average, hitting 39.7C at Ipswich, 0.5C above the record of 39.2C, while at Gatton it reached 39.4C and surpassed the previous high mark of 38.7C.
Ten other areas between Warwick, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast and Logan set heat records with maximums between 10C and 14C above averages.
The heatwave has rolled across the state and brought with it the hottest recorded September day at Birdsville where the mercury rose to 42.8C on Wednesday.
Brisbane was forecast to reach a maximum 35C, 3.3C short of the September record, but the highest the mercury rose in the city was 31C.
The heat will linger on Friday but conditions across the state are due to ease next week.
Queensland Ambulance Service clinical director Tony Hucker advised people to keep to air-conditioned buildings, drink plenty of water and wear loose-fitting clothing to beat the heat.
A severe fire danger rating is in place, along with fire bans, across southeast Queensland.
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