A severe heatwave is expected to affect parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia heading into the new year.

Large swathes have been put on alert, with conditions 8C to 12C above average.

On Saturday, Marble Bar in WA’s Pilbara region was set to record a stifling 49C, with 45C predicted over the next six days.

An extreme fire danger warning was issued for the Burrup region in the state’s north-west on Saturday morning.

Uncomfortably warm nights are likely to set in across the Northern Territory. Tennant Creek, 500km north of Alice Springs, is forecast to reach 43C, while Katherine is likely to record 40C.

There will be no reprieve for storm-ravaged areas of Queensland either, with 47C expected in Longreach, 43C in Wilson and 37C in Gympie.

One Gold Coast hinterland resident said her family had been struggling through the heatwave without power, water or phone reception after Christmas Day storms ravaged the area.

“We’ve been trying to avoid being at home because it’s so hot,” Nicole Fraser-Lyons said.

“When you’re at home, you’re sweating to death and thinking, ‘when is the power going to come back on’. We just don’t know.”

Heatwave conditions are likely to lessen by Sunday in Queensland and middle of next week in the NT and WA.

Minor flood warnings remain in place for parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria after all three states experienced wild storms over Christmas.

The storm 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 is some relief coming for southern states, with cooler conditions forecast over the next few days and no extreme heat alert.