Parts of Queensland are having their hottest September days on record.
A low pressure trough residing over the state's interior is filtering in an unseasonably hot air mass, bringing several days of extreme heat.
Today has been the hottest of this spell so far, with a number of September records being broken over the inland. For many places, this was also the hottest day since January.
Charleville reached 39 degrees today, its hottest September day in 70 years of records breaking the 38.5 set in 1988. Mount Isa maxed out at 39.8 degrees, equalling its hottest September day in 45 years of records.
Roma reached 39.6 degrees, its hottest September day in at least 20 years, while Emerald Airport soared to 38.9 degrees, its hottest September day in 32 years of records.
Further records are likely to be broken tomorrow, although the focus of the heat will be a little further east.
Rockhampton is in danger of breaking its all-time September record tomorrow of 37.1 degrees, with a forecast maximum of 37 degrees. Gatton's September record of 38.5 degrees is also at risk of being broken, with a forecast of 38 degrees.
Brisbane is predicted to reach 33 degrees tomorrow, which will make it the first time the city has seen three consecutive days of at least 31 degrees in September since 1965. This could also be Longreach's third day in a row in excess of 40 degrees, which would be a September record.
The heat should begin to shift north from Friday, ending the south's extreme heat, however places such as Rockhampton and Richmond will still see temperatures close to record territory.
The air mass will begin to cool a little more over the weekend, however much of the state can still expect temperatures several degrees above average.
© Weatherzone 2013
17:21 EDT After a good soaking, there is more rain ahead for Western Australia's Pilbara and Gascoyne.