Qld weather: Hot temps continue despite relief, with record highs and El Nino system on the way

South East Queensland faces more sweltering weather despite experts claiming the worst is over, with the new El Nino system expected to cause above-average temperatures until winter.

South East Queensland is set to swelter through another day of stifling temperatures, with some areas recording “feels like” temperatures above 30C by 8am.

Apparent temperatures – which factor in conditions such as humidity to deliver “feels like” conditions – in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cape Moreton had already reached above 30C.

Temperatures jumped considerably by 10.30am, with Brisbane reaching 30.9C with an apparent temperature of 34.6C.

On the Sunshine Coast, apparent temperatures were five degrees hotter than actual temperature.

Maximum temperatures are forecast to sit in the mid 30s for the majority of the state, with the exception of the Channel Country which is forecast to reach 40C.

Alexandra Rutherford, 20 from the Gold Coast cools off at Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

It comes after parts of southern Queensland experienced their hottest March day since 2019 on Friday, with Birdsville reaching 43.2C, Amberley 37C and Brisbane 36.6C.

Senior meteorologist Harry Clark said although Friday marked the peak of Queensland’s heatwave, it would take a few days for the scorching weather to ease in some regions.

“As we go into Saturday, we can see this maximum temperatures drop quite a bit back down to 32 degrees in Brisbane and stay around that mark,” he said.

“But in context of what’s normal for this time of year, the average March maximum for Brisbane is 29.1 degrees.

“The Southern inland will take a bit longer to cool down, Darling Downs, Charleville and Roma will stay fairly warm for the next few days, and won’t really ease back towards the low 30s until early next week.”

Mr Clark said most of Australia is expected to have above average temperatures all the way until winter, as an El Nino system develops, which is characterised by below average rainfall and warmer day time temperatures.

“The climate outlook over the next few months shows well above average temperatures over the next few months, all the way up to July of this stage,” Mr Clark said.

The Bureau of Meteorology declared on Tuesday an end to La Nina, which had triggered record rainfall over much of eastern Australia.