No reprieve into the weekend as southwest continues to swelter

Queenslanders have been hit with a severe heatwave warning that’s predicted to stick around a little longer, with the state’s southwest unlikely to see a reprieve through the weekend.

South West Queensland is in the grips of a heatwave.

The simmering southwest will have to wait a little longer before residents can feel a reprieve from the recent heatwave.

An extreme heatwave warning was issued for parts of Queensland on Wednesday, with the Bureau of Meteorology urging residents to seek a cool place.

A severe heatwave warning remains in place for the Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, North West, Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast Districts.

Forecaster Patch Clapp said while storms would be lingering across the southwest this weekend, it was unlikely the region would see heavy falls.

“Heavier falls are more likely across the South East and possibly the Darling Downs and Granite Belt today and on Sunday,” he said.

“It’s unlikely for the Warrego or Maranoa regions.”

Rural firefighters have spent several days battling major grass fires around the southwest. Picture QFD / Cabarlah Rural Fire Brigade

Firefighters in the Southern Downs and Maranoa region have spent days battling major grass fires, with the rural town of Dirranbandi temporarily evacuated on Tuesday.

The forecaster said the southwest can expect to feel the warmer above average temperatures throughout the weekend, with the heatwave to persist for a little while longer.

However, early next week there’s likely to be a reprieve as temperatures return to average.

Originally published as No reprieve into the weekend as southwest continues to swelter