Extreme heatwave sees February temperature record broken

Queensland endured another day of extreme heat on Monday with one area recording its hottest February day.

Following sweltering temperatures on Sunday, which saw the mercury surpass 40 degrees in central Queensland, the heatwave peaked on Monday.

Weatherzone meteorologist Joel Pippard told Yahoo News Australia Rockhampton was "right in the middle" of the extreme conditions.

"Rockhampton is predicted to hit 41 – 8 degrees higher than normal. If it reaches 41.1 it will be its hottest February day in 52 years," he said.

The maximum fell just short, reaching 40. 6 degrees at Rockhampton.

Moving inland, Longreach got to 41.8 degrees and Birdsville 42.1.

Bundaberg surpassed its previous hottest February day of 37.7 degrees, when the temperature gauge reached 38 at 1.30pm (AEST).

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Abnormally high temperatures were experienced up the coast to north Queensland, with a 33.5 reached in Mackay.

Brisbane had a high of 33.6 while Gatton to the west reached 39.2 degrees.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned of a very high fire danger for southeastern and central districts.

Those temperatures will begin to drop from Tuesday thanks to an offshore trough, while inland heat will steadily decrease daily.

Perth edges towards 40

And the heat isn't solely reserved for Queensland, with scorching temperatures sweeping some parts of Western Australia.

Perth is set for a high of 39 on Monday, while Marble Bar in the north could reach 43.

Those sweltering conditions will continue into Tuesday before easing off on Wednesday and Thursday.

A low pressure system in the Tasman sea will be pushed away on Monday by a cold front bringing a big drop in temperature for South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.

Showers will progress up the eastern seaboard throughout Tuesday and possibly into South East Queensland.

Sydney can expect possible showers on Monday with a high of 27.

Melbourne can also expect light rain with a high of just 21.

There are highs of 23, 20 and 28 for Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra respectively while Darwin's temperatures will top 31.

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