Heatwave forecast for southeast Queensland before storm

Southeast Queensland will be hot and steamy this week, with temperatures expected in the high thirties. Several parts of the state have already hit 40C today.

SOUTHEAST Queensland will be hot and steamy this week, with temperatures expected in the high thirties.

The Bureau of Meteorology said severe heatwave conditions were expected, saying that Autumn temperature records may be broken.

Several parts of the southeast were sitting above 30C by 2pm, with the highest temperature recorded at Amberley, which was hit with 35.3C at 1.50pm. Beaudesert was sitting on 34.5C, Archerfield was at 32.5C and Brisbane on 32.2C.

“We’ve got temperatures eight degrees above average forecast,” a BoM spokesman told The Courier-Mail.

Even higher temperatures were seen elsewhere in the state, with some areas sitting above 40C by 2pm.

The highest temperatures in the state this afternoon were seen in the channel country region, with Ballera, Birdsville and Windorah all sitting above 40C.

Ready for some Autumn heat? 🌡️ A severe #HeatWave is forecast for #SEQLD from Sunday with temperatures in southern Qld set to rise up to 8°C above average. 🥵 Heat records may be broken on Monday! ☀️Make sure you have plenty of water and stay in the shade! @qldhealthnews pic.twitter.com/0bJc7IfPSw

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 9, 2019

Temperatures in several other parts of Queensland had passed 35C in several regions. Much of the state’s northwest and central highlands regions were sitting above 35C by 2pm including Camooweal on 38C, and Emerald and Lochington on 36C. Longreach in the central west was sitting on 37.6C at 1.50pm, Biloela in the Capricornia region had hit 36.2C by 2pm, Burketown Airport in the Gulf Country had recorded 36C.

A fire weather warning has been issued for the Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt forecast districts.

⚠️ #Fire Weather Warning has been issued for parts of the southern interior of #Qld for Monday. Check https://t.co/cupcz4sjuO for details and updates; stay tuned to @QldFES for fire bans and further #bushfire info. pic.twitter.com/BfTucCwek5

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 10, 2019

North-westerly winds were bringing hot air to the southeast today and are expected to occur for the rest of the week.

A sweltering 36C has been forecasted for Brisbane tomorrow, with the region expected to remain above 30C for the rest of the week.

“The peak of the heat will most likely pass by Monday but will be relatively warm for the remainder of the week,” a BoM Spokesperson said.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to hit temperatures of 33C, 31C and 33C.

Ipswich will experience most of the heatwave’s brunt with 39C forecast for tomorrow.

BoM are expecting isolated thunderstorms and showers throughout the week and have issued extreme UV indexes of more than 11.

The Bureau are also predicting a significant storm to hit Brisbane on Friday afternoon.