Heat records have tumbled across south-east Queensland, despite Brisbane city missing out its expected top of 41 degrees.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Brian James said sea breezes had kept temperatures down in the CBD, which reached a top of 38.7 at 1.21pm.

heatwave

But it was not any less comfortable for people in the city on Saturday.

"The sea breeze meant the moisture was higher, so it's still rather hot but it's also moist," he said.