The oppressive conditions exacerbated by high tropical-like humidity has Brisbane and surrounds bracing for an uncomfortable end to the week.

The peak of the heatwave will follow days of steadily soaring temperatures that have kept air conditioners humming and outdoor activity subdued across the city.

Brisbane and Caboolture, and the normally milder coastal climes of beachside Caloundra are tipped to take the brunt of the intensifying temperatures.

The BOM is advising that severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell.

It suggests that people should seek refuge in a place to keep cool, such as their home, a library, community centre or shopping centre if they are feeling distressed.

“Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home,” they said.

“If available, use fans or air-conditioners to keep cool.”

According to Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Harry Clark, the mercury in the state’s populous south east corner on Friday and Saturday will soar past what is forecast for the remote community of Birdsville nearly 1600 kilometres west of Brisbane.

The iconic rural town, near to where the borders of Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory intersect, can expect a comparatively cool 31 degrees, mirroring many other parts of the western interior which will benefit from a more benign air mass moving east.

“But unfortunately we’re not going to see that push through to the coast, leaving Brisbane and the south east in a bit of a heat bubble,” Clark told InQueensland.

Hopes for storms to bring some relief may also bring disappointment.

Clark described conditions as a mixed bag, with storms only tipped to be isolated, with most forming north of the Sunshine Coast.

“We’re not expecting them to bring widespread relief,” he said.

The BOM is forecasting maximum temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s over coming days, increasing to the mid 30s on Friday and Saturday in tandem with sticky tropical humidity.

Minimum temperatures overnight are expected to range between the low to mid 20s.

While the south of the state swelters, communities north of Townsville can expect high rainfall to continue, bringing more flows to already swollen creeks and rivers and sodden farm country, Clark said.