Large parts of Queensland are today in the grip of a severe heatwave forecast, triggering warnings of increased fire risk.
Temperatures did not fall below an uncomfortable 28 degrees overnight in Chinchilla, in the Western Downs, making it a sleepless night for many people.
There were also similar oppressive temperatures and not a hint of wind for parts of Central Queensland, Whitsundays, Upper Flinders and south to the Darling Downs.
And residents in the town of Longreach today should brace for a top temperature of 44 degrees.
The Bureau of Meteorology said other parts of Central Queensland can expect the mercury to reach the high thirties and low forties before conditions ease by the end of this week.
Meanwhile, fire authorities are warning the scorching temperatures, strong winds and potential dry lightning strikes risk restarting blazes that crews have been battling for past weeks.
The heatwave will last before Queensland and other parts of Central Australia receive a big soaking from late this week and into the following one, reports Weatherzone.
The first half of November featured widespread rain and storms over part of every state and territory in Australia.
This wet and stormy weather included ominous shelf clouds, plenty of outback thunder and more than 8 million lightning strikes in a single week.
The bulk of the rain and storms will initially focus on central Australia, northern and western South Australia and southern Western Australia today and tomorrow, with rain also falling over Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
From the weekend, a deepening low pressure trough should allow showers and thunderstorms to become more active over eastern Australia.
(9 NEWS)
