Scorching weather has been predicted over the next four days in Queensland, with temperatures set to soar over 40 degrees Celsius in the state's western interior.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has predicted north-west and central-west Queensland will see temperatures of up to 43C, while the south-west of the state will reach close to 50C.

BOM meteorologist Nicholas Shera said forecasters were expecting low to severe heatwave conditions, with some extreme heatwave conditions in areas of north-west Queensland, the central-west, and especially in the south-west.

At 3:00pm on Wednesday, temperatures reached 42C in Longreach, 44C in Mount Isa and 48C in Birdsville.

"People should take all the precautions they need to avoid too much exposure to the heat," Mr Shera said.

Map: Heatwave prediction for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. ( Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology )

Mr Shera said people in the region had seen heatwaves like this before, with Mount Isa residents often taking refuge at the local pool .

Others who experienced similar temperatures in the central-west in October took a fully-clothed dip in the Thomson River.

Temperance Armstrong, six, and her sister Aurelia, eight, cool down at the Mount Isa pool. ( ABC News: Kelly Butterworth )

Mr Shera said despite their familiarity with high temperatures, it was important for people in the region to be cautious.

"In 2017 we saw quite a few temperatures in the low to mid-40s for much of western Queensland, and in 2016 we saw similar heatwaves as well," Mr Shera said.

"But what's interesting [this time] is we're also seeing overnight lows in the hot 20s. For example, in Longreach we're seeing a low of 29C, when you'd expect overnight lows to only be about 22C."

Mr Shera said the warm temperatures are expected to shift eastwards by Friday, with Brisbane sizzling around the high 30s.

"But there's a low chance Brisbane will see some relief from some storms in the area that day — the temperatures will start to cool off by Christmas Day," he said.

Children cool off in Urandangi, north-west of Longreach. ( Supplied: Pam Foster )

Heat hoped to bring rain to parched west

Mr Shera warned residents to stay out of the sun and stay hydrated, a task difficult for many people working on the land.

Grazier Chook Kath lives at Mount Leonard Station in south-west Queensland, about 167 kilometres east of Birdsville.

Mr Kath said heatwaves were typical for this time of year, but it did not make them any easier to deal with.

"It gets over 45C every year out this way, but you try to do your work in the morning and do what the rest of the animal kingdom do and try and stay out of the heat during the day," Mr Kath said.

"We have a water hole that's nice and handy in the afternoon, but in this day we all have air-cons, which is pretty lucky.

"But when things break down in the extreme heat, like your air-con, cold rooms, generators, it can get a bit sticky."

Grazier Chook Kath works in the heat on his property east of Birdsville. ( Supplied: Chook Kath )

Mr Kath is now looking to the skies, hoping the region will get a drop of rain after the extreme heat.

"There's the chance it could build up to some rain, so obviously that's of greater interest and concern for us than the heat itself," he said.

"You can put up with a lot of heat if you know you're going to get some rain out of it."

A boy leaps for the cool of a waterhole at Boulia in western Queensland. ( Supplied: Michaella Hindom )

Keep an eye on children and the elderly, doctor says

South West Hospital and Health Service's Tim Smart said alcohol and heat could be a dangerous mixture at these temperatures, coming into the festive season.

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"Make sure there are lots of cool, non-alcoholic drinks around — please stay in the shade," Dr Smart said.

"Please keep cool, look after your neighbours, look after your family, and make sure that if you are unwell or become unwell as a result of the temperature, dial triple zero or get help."

Dr Smart urged people to keep an eye on the elderly and young children.

"We have to look after others and we're particularly concerned about individuals that are very young, the elderly, and particularly the elderly who are unwell," he said.

"A lot of other people, such as younger people living with medical conditions who are potentially overweight, they need to be aware that there is risk in this heat."