An extreme heatwave in flood-weary eastern tropical Queensland this week could see Townsville register a record-matching seventh day over 35 degrees so far this month.

Townsville started February amid an unprecedented rain and flooding event. During the fortnight ending at 9am on Friday, February 8th, Townsville Airport received 1,422.4mm of rain. Prior to 2019, their highest 14-day rain total was 956.3mm from 1953.

Shortly after the rain stopped, a heatwave set in for Townsville and surrounding areas of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin District in northeast Queensland. This week, the second heatwave of the month will hit the region.

Townsville is forecast to reach tops of 34 to 37 degrees between Tuesday and Friday. If Wednesday, Thursday and Friday reach at least 35 degrees, as is forecast, Townsville will have had seven days at or above 35 degree so far this month. This will match their February record from 2002 and be only the second time it's happened during the month in 79 years of observations.

Townsville's all-time record for 35 degree days in one month was nine, which occurred during January 1994.