South East Queensland has gone from one extreme to the next, with several days of torrential rain and storms in some areas followed by parts of the region being in the grip of a severe heatwave.

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecaster Peter Markworth said "extreme conditions" would be felt over the next few days as temperatures climb up to 5 degrees Celsius above average.

"That's happening with both the maximum and minimum temperatures … because we have a lack of cooling over those days," Mr Markworth said.

"Combined with increased humidity, it will make for quite a sweaty few days."

In Brisbane, the temperature will soar into the mid-30s until Friday, with overnight temperatures not expected to drop below 25C.

On Monday night, it only fell to 25.6 degrees in the capital, while other areas like Hervey Bay only reached 27C.

BOM said while it may have been 25.6C in Brisbane the apparent temperature (what it felt like) was more than 30C.

BOM senior forecaster Jonty Hall described the warmer-than-usual weather as "extremely tropical".

"We're going to have to get used to these muggy conditions really — it's going to be with us for quite some time," Mr Hall said.

The heatwave is being driven by warmer air and moisture that has travelled down the coast from north Queensland.

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Areas including Townsville bore the brunt of the severe heat on Monday, with temperatures reaching the mid to high 30s in some places.

North Queensland Wildlife Care spokesman Daniel Edney said the scorching conditions killed hundreds of bats in Ingham.

"They overheat just the same as we do … with such high temperatures they get heat stroke and they can die," Mr Edney said.

Mr Edney said dozens had suffered from heat stress and needed urgent medical attention.

"It is very distressing … we have started getting some to carers," he said.