A severe heatwave is expected to impact three Australian states heading into the new year break.
Parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia have been put on alert with conditions eight to 12C above average.
Today, the mercury is set to reach a stifling 49C at Marble Bar in the west's Pilbra region, with 45C predicted over the next six days.
Uncomfortably warn nights are likely to set in across the Northern Territory with Tenant Creek, 500km north of Alice Springs, set to reach 43C while in Katherine it's likely to get to 40C.
There's no reprieve for storm-ravaged areas of Queensland either, with Longreach expected to reach 47C, Wilson tipped to hit 43C and 37C in Gympie.
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Heatwave conditions are likely to lessen tomorrow in Queensland and mid next week in both the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Minor flood warnings remain in place for parts of Queensland, NSW and Victoria after all three states experienced wild storms over Christmas.
The death toll since Christmas in Queensland stands at seven while three people were killed in storms and flash flooding on Boxing Day in Victoria.
There's some relief over southern states with cooler conditions forecast over the next few days and no extreme heat alert.
