‘Severe’ fire danger as hot spell here to stay

Summer may have only just begun but the hot weather has already settled in. Temps are expected to stay ‘above average’ in the southeast corner all week, with one town likely to hit 39C by Friday.

SOUTHEAST Queensland is bracing for an entire week sweltering in the mid-to-high 30s, with hot conditions and strong winds expected to fuel fire dangers today.

Severe fire dangers are predicted for much of the southeast of the state today, with the Bureau of Meteorology saying maximum temperatures this week will remain well above the seasonal average.

“The average for Brisbane in the city in December is 29.5C,” meteorologist Jess Gardner said.

“We’ll be a fair bit above average.”

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40km/h winds and a top of 34C were forecast for Brisbane today, with maximums not falling below 33C for the rest of the week.

Fire dangers were expected to hit severe in the Capricornia, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast regions, according to the Bureau, fuelled by the strong winds and warm conditions.

Storm clouds on approach to Deception Bay on Sunday afternoon. A series of storms moved through the southeast, but hot, dry winds are following the system. Picture: Liam Kidston

Forecasts for the week ahead showed no let up either, Ms Gardner said, with Brisbane predicted to swelter through 38C and Ipswich 39C on Friday.

“Not for the next week. Those temperatures are pretty high right through until next weekend,” she said.

The hot conditions followed an upper trough which moved across Queensland yesterday, bringing damaging winds and thunderstorms to the southeast.

Surf Life Saving Queensland was forced to close beaches on the Gold Coast yesterday afternoon as a series of dangerous storms passed through.