Queensland weather: Temperatures 10C above average as extreme heatwave grips state

An extreme heatwave will send temperatures soaring 10C above average across large parts of Queensland this week.

Temperatures will soar up to 10C above average in parts of Queensland this week as a heatwave grips large parts of the country.

The Bureau of Meteorology on Tuesday morning warned severe to extreme heatwave conditions would be experienced across central and northern Queensland over the next three days.

It’s expected daytime temperatures across Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory will reach 8-10C above average, approaching January records.

A heatwave is sweeping across Queensland and Australia.

BOM meteorologist Helen Reid said the focus of the extreme conditions in Queensland would be through coastal regions and the interior.

“It’s stretching from Ingham down to almost, but not quite as far, as Rockhampton and then inland as well,” Ms Reid said.

“Far western Queensland gets temperatures in the mid-40s but those areas towards the coast usually wouldn’t get to the 40s.

“While we are forecasting temperatures in the low 40s, it’s a lot higher than you would normally have in that part of the world.”

Clermont is expected to reach 40C across the next three days while a maximum of 40C has been forecast today for Proserpine, Moranbah and Blackwater.

Mackay could reach 37C today, Rockhampton 39C and Townsville 36C.

Ms Reid said at least three days of unrelenting temperatures, and little relief at night, qualified as a heatwave.

She said the heat was actually associated with the low that is ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth.

“Where the ex cyclone is sitting offshore there, the wind direction is coming across the continent from the north so it’s bringing in that heat from the north,” Ms Reid said.

“Because it’s doing that for a few days, it’s allowing that heat to build and we don’t have any systems coming through to clear that heat.”

The southeast is expected to be spared of the heatwave.