Qld weather: Autumn off to sweltering start as heatwave continues

The first day of autumn is off to a sweaty start for most of Queensland, as a heatwave continues to deliver temperatures over 40C, but the end could be in sight.

Southern parts of the state are still sweltering through a low intensity heatwave, as Far North Queensland braces for a monsoonal thunderstorm and tropical low this week.

On Wednesday, Roma and parts of the Darling Downs hit 40C due to a heatwave brought through by a northerly flow of warm air.

A Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) spokesperson said despite this week signalling the start of autumn, the heat will hang around for the next couple of days.

“There has not been much change in the weather systems over southern parts of the state for a few days now so the heat is expected to hang around,” the spokesperson said.

“Hot temperatures are not isolated but the middle of next week should provide some relief with temperatures dropping off into the low 30s.”

Meanwhile in Far North Queensland, a tropical low is set to swing across the border from the Northern Territory to Cape York and the Coral Sea brining heavy showers and thunderstorms.

BOM have already issued multiple minor and moderate flood warnings across the north with the upcoming thunderstorms said to top up already overflowing rivers.

“The tropical low will move towards Queensland in the next few days and will bring a heavier fall of rain than already experienced in different areas,” the spokesperson said.

Flood warnings have been issued for the Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Daintree and Georgina rivers.