Queensland weather: Heatwave grips South West Queensland

South West Queensland is in the grips of a summer-like heatwave, which could mean storms and high fire danger for the rest of the week. Find out when the region can expect a reprieve.

Southern inland parts of the Sunshine State are set to be broiled in the next few days, with temperatures set to soar up to 10C above average.

Senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Jonathan How, said this week marks the first summer-like heatwave, with temperatures across South West Queensland expected to exceed 40C.

“Much of southern and South West Queensland are in the grips of a heatwave at the moment,” Mr How said.

“We are seeing quite a prolonged period of not just hot days but also hot nights.”

He said the maximum temperature for Roma on Wednesday and Thursday is expected to be 41C, and won’t dip below 20C overnight.

In Charleville, the temperature will climb to 42C on Wednesday and 41C on Thursday, while in Cunnamulla the temperature could reach 44C on both days.

 Other South West Queensland towns can also expect to see temperatures above 40C.

In the Southern Downs, the combination of scorching hot weather and lightning strikes could lead to disaster.

Firefighters in the region have spent days battling a grass fire which first ignited on October 31.

Sugarloaf Rural Fire Brigade second officer James Massey urged residents to keep hydrated during the heatwave.

Mr Massey said given the current forecasts this week the brigade has ceased all fire permits until further notice.

Rural fire crews were still working to control a vegetation fire on Sunday in the Southern Downs that had already been burning for three days. Photos: Sugarloaf Rural Fire Brigade

Dalby and the Western Downs are also in for scorcher of a week with temperatures falling just shy of 40C, hovering around 38C for most of the week before storms on Monday and Tuesday are expected to drop the temperature back below 30C.

Data from the Dalby airport shows this week’s temperature far exceeds the November average of 30.5C.

Despite this the temperature isn’t expected to reach the November all-time record of 40.5C which came in 1996.

Chinchilla, Jandowae and Miles will also see temperatures around the high 30s.

The heat, he said, is also making things “quite unsettled,” which might mean scattered thunderstorm activity at the end of the week and into early next week.

Mr How said while these temperatures are between 5-10C higher than average, three weeks out from summer, the weather is quite typical.

He said the weather will follow the pattern the region is used to, with four or five days of high temperatures, followed by a few days of reprieve.

Despite the region’s familiarity with scorching temperatures, the South West Hospital and Health Service warned these kinds of temperatures can be fatal.

“Heatwaves cause the most death and disability of all natural disasters,” South West Hospital and Health Service executive director of medical services Dr Carl de Wet said.

“Community members are strongly urged to look after their own health and safety and to check in on those family, friends and neighbours who may be more prone to heat-related illness to make sure they are OK.

“These include the elderly, infants, overweight and obese people, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with some pre-existing health conditions.”

Originally published as Queensland weather: Heatwave grips South West Queensland