Queensland weather: 43C heatwave, predictions of 250mm by Christmas

Queensland will swelter through 43C temperatures this week but amateur weather forecasters are predicting a drenching in the lead-up to Christmas.

Queensland is in for a wild two months, with a heatwave this week followed by predictions of flooding rain in the lead-up to Christmas.

Parts of Queensland will this week swelter through a brutal 43C heatwave while amateur weather forecasters are predicting a 250mm pre-Christmas drenching for the South East.

The Bureau of Meteorology says over the next few days an interior trough would be pushed across Queensland by northerly winds, triggering temperatures 5-10C above average.

Metrologist Livio Regano has described the predicted temperatures as “a kick in the pants”.

Parts of Queensland could swelter though 43C temperatures this week. Picture: Windy

“The heat is down to wind conditions, currently there is that hot wind blowing from the north mixed with an inland trough that is bending the wind clockwise,” Mr Regano said.

“There is definitely a possibility for a heatwave warning in the northern parts of the state because of that sustained heat, warm winds and a variety of other factors.”

Meanwhile, amateur weather forecaster Tim’s Severe Weather Queensland says current modelling is pointing to flooding summer rains for large parts of Australia, particularly South East Queensland, north Queensland and the entire east coast of NSW.

Amateur weather forecasters are predicting flooding rain in the lead-up to Christmas for South East Queensland. Picture: meteologix.com/au

Brisbane could get to the mid-30s on Thursday while it is expected to be 43C in Birdsville today and tomorrow, and in Julia Creek on Thursday.

Parts of the Darling Downs and Western Downs were also expected to hit the mid to high 30s, which Mr Regano said was far above average for this time of the year.

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“It is definitely above average for this time of year and so soon into summer,” he said.

“However, we have had extremely pleasant temperatures in the lead up to these warmer conditions, getting back to normal will feel like a kick in the pants for some people.”

It came as a fast-moving grassfire near Jondaryan in the Western Downs saw QFES issue a Prepare to Leave/Watch and Act warning Monday afternoon.