Queensland weather: Drought declarations coming as heatwave persists

Almost 70 per cent of Queensland is now in the grip of drought, following eight new declarations – including the Gold and Sunshine coasts – as devastating dry conditions continue across large parts of the state. SEE THE LIST

Almost 70 per cent of Queensland is now in the grip of drought, with eight new declarations expanding financial support for struggling farmers.

Eight new shires and councils, all of them in the southeast corner, have been added to the state’s list of drought-stricken communities.

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That means 67.4 per cent of the state is now officially in drought. The latest declarations cover the local government areas of Noosa, the Gold and Sunshine coasts, Redlands, Logan, Gympie, Sunshine Coast, and the Fraser Coast. Farmers in those areas will now be eligible for financial support, including freight and water subsidies.

“These are difficult times and as a government we’re standing shoulder to shoulder with our farmers and supporting them,” Agriculture Minister Mark Furner told ABC radio on Tuesday.

Weekend temperatures reached 40C in the southeast, with Brisbane hitting 38C before 11am and “very poor” air quality recorded across the city.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s summer outlook shows little possibility of relief in sight for Queenslanders desperate for rain.

Long-range forecaster Dr Andrew Watkins said it’s not good news for Queensland, with an “above 80 per cent” chance the state will be drier and warmer than average.

The main influence was one of the strongest positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events on record, he said.

Dry conditions at Eromanga in Western Queensland. Picture: Lachie Millard

“Basically, the positive IOD occurs when you get cooler than normal ocean temperatures off Indonesia, which tends to restrict the amount of moisture coming into eastern Australia and also tends to create high pressures over eastern Australia, which keeps the clouds away,” Dr Watkins said.

“That is going to cause more westerly winds, those hot and dry winds coming into southeast Queensland in particular,” Dr Watkins said.

BOM said the dire predictions meant residents needed to stay alert for potential catastrophic weather events, with “an increased risk of heatwaves occurring during this summer”.

“We’ve already seen significant bushfire activity during spring, and the outlook for drier and warmer than ­average conditions will maintain that heightened risk over the coming months,” Dr ­Watkins said.

“This outlook also means the risk of heatwaves is increased, so it’s important the community stays up to date with the latest information and advice from authorities and the bureau’s heatwave forecasts and warnings.”

Dr Watkins said the state is likely to be about 80 per cent drier and warmer than average in coming months, as Queensland experienced one of its driest springs.