Temperature records broken as Queensland heatwave peaks

Temperature records have been broken after Queensland's three-day heatwave reached its climax today.

The state's southern and western areas were the warmest, with the mercury soaring 11C above the December average in some parts.

Windorah in the central-west was Queensland's hottest town, reaching 45.5C, while Roma hit 44.7C, Charleville scorched to 44.2C, and Winton go to 44.4C.

Dalby, in the Darling Downs, recorded its hottest December day ever, after hitting 41.4C.

Around the south-east, Ipswich climbed to 35.2C and Brisbane topped out at 31.3C.

The Bureau of Meteorology says some relief is on the way, as a trough combines with southerly winds to produce a cool change.

The weather system is expected to arrive this evening and could produce isolated storms as temperatures drop.

"We will see temperatures change to a significant degree," Meteorologist Rosa Hoff said.

"For places like Gatton, this will be a change of about nine degrees cooler, which is very significant when they've had temperatures up to eleven degrees above average so far"

But forecasters warn the reprieve will be brief, with temperatures expected to increase again from Friday.

"This will be the one day, overnight tonight and into tomorrow, that we we will see that respite in temperatures," Ms Hoff said.

"When they start climbing again on Friday, we will see temperatures return to their current levels over the weekend."