Massive 4000km heatwave to bake western Queensland as mercury soars to 46C
A brutal heatwave is set to grip parts of Queensland, pushing temperatures as high as a searing 46C in places
Western Queensland is bracing for a brutal six-day heatwave that threatens to send the mercury soaring to a searing 46C.
A hot air mass that is building over Western Australia is expected to arrive in Queensland from tomorrow, generating daytime maximum temperatures in the low to mid-40s.
The system will span 4000km from Port Hedland in WA to Penrith in NSW, affecting five states and territories.
Experts have not ruled out the possibility of the scorcher extending even further into next week.
Towns including Longreach, Mount Isa, Charleville, Roma and Emerald are all in the firing line, with temperatures likely to exceed 40C later this week.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said the intense system was generated over Western Australia earlier this week.
“Temperatures across southern, western, and central Queensland are predicted to be 4-8C above the December average on Friday and into the weekend,” Mr Narramore said.
While the west bakes, southeast Queensland will be spared the worst of the conditions but will still endure a sticky end to the week.
Towns including Gatton, Ipswich, Laidley and Esk are forecast to hit the high 30s.
Brisbane residents can expect the heat to peak over the weekend, with tops of 29C on Friday, 30C on Saturday and 32C on Sunday.
A cooler change bringing showers and thunderstorms is expected to reach the southeast after Sunday.
North Queensland is forecast to experience rainfall from Wednesday through to Sunday.
