Queensland weather: Winter heatwave to trigger 40C temperatures, fire warnings issued

Queensland is in the grips of an unprecedented heatwave with three records set to be shattered in Brisbane and 40C maximums forecast for western parts.

Northern Australia is sweltering through a winter heatwave. Picture: meteologix.com/au

Brisbane could see three August records broken amid an unprecedented 40C-plus winter heatwave blasting much of Queensland.

Temperatures in the state’s southwest could hit 40C while Brisbane is forecast to climb to 36C on Saturday after possibly its warmest night on record.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Pieter Claassen said the heatwave conditions, which were driving temperatures 10-15C above average, were being felt from south of Townsville across southern and western Queensland.

“Today and tomorrow areas across the interior, south of Townsville, to the southeast, will potentially break records – Brisbane might get close really to breaking their own August records.”

A blast of heat will sweep across Queensland this weekend. Picture: meteologix.com/au

Weatherzone’s Ashleigh Madden was there are at least three records that could fall in Brisbane over the next 48 hours:

• The daytime temperature on Saturday is forecast to reach 35-36C. This temperature could break the previous winter record of 35.4C, set in August 2009.
• Brisbane’s minimum temperature on Friday night could only drop to around 20C, potentially breaking the winter record of 19.4C set in August 2006. Saturday and Sunday nights minimums are forecast to be around 19C.
• The maximum temperature will reach above 31C for the final three days of August, breaking the previously set record of two days in August 2009.

Several other Queensland towns are expected to break their August maximum temperature records by Friday afternoon into Saturday.

This includes Birdsville, which could see its preliminary August record of 38.4C set just last Sunday broken today, when temperatures are expected to hit 40C.

Ipswich, where it could get to 35C today and 37C on Saturday, Dalby, Mt Isa, Beerburrum, Longreach and Boulia could also all see record maximums.

A reprieve from the heatwave, which is being caused by a warm air mass lingering over central and northern Australia, is not expected until Thursday next week.

“We are also seeing elevated fire dangers above what is typical for this time of year,” Mr Claassen said.

“Definitely the west today (Friday) in the Channel Country and Southern Interior we are seeing high fire dangers.

“The southeast is getting close. It’s still in the moderate zone, but gusty north westerly winds and warm temperatures could elevate it to a high risk by Saturday.”

Wind gusts up to 50kmh are expected to heighten the fire danger across the Channel Country, Maraona and Warrego districts today. South East Queensland could be in for 35kmh gusts on Saturday.

Queensland Ambulance Service has issued a heat safety warning urging Queenslanders to not be complacent in the unusually high heat.

“Over the next couple of days, we’re going to see extremely high temperatures across Queensland, specifically in South East Queensland, and these temperatures are significantly above the average that we would usually see at this time of year,” clinical director Lachlan Parker said.

“As Queenslanders, we’re very used to these high temperatures, and that’s what some people love about Queensland.

“However, it’s when we become complacent, you can run into trouble.

“So coming off the back of winter and the cooler months, we just want to make sure everyone realises the risks that they may face.

“We want you to stay hydrated, make sure you stay nice and cool. Ideally, get inside, get into the airconditioning.”