Queensland’s three-day heatwave continues, and is set to get hotter in some parts

Heatwave conditions are continuing across Queensland with 40C-plus temperatures across the north and central parts of the state and the Bureau of Meteorology warning of the possibility of storms this afternoon, including in the South East.

Shaye Windsor

@shaye_windsor

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December 7, 2022 - 2:29PM

Extreme heatwave to hit parts of Northern Australia

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Queensland’s extreme heatwave continues today after the hottest December maximum since 2019 on Tuesday, but it is yet to peak, the Bureau of Meteorology warns.

While Tuesday was the southeast’s hottest December day in three years, meteorologist Helen Reed warned that Thursday will break that record again, before a significant drop.

“We do have of 37C forecast for tomorrow and then we’ve got that change moving through and a little bit of relief on Friday, we’re looking at getting back to 28C,” she said.

“Warm today, hot tomorrow and then dropping back again for Friday.”

By 9am on Wednesday, the mercury had already passed 40C in Birdsville, and had reached 41.7C by 10.30am. It has since climbed to 45.6C just before 2pm.

More than a dozen other towns in the north and central west have also climbed above 40C.

Ms Reed said Brisbane can expect a top of 32C on Wednesday which is a slight respite after yesterday’s 35C maximum and some very warm minimums.

“Overnight Brisbane City was 18.9 degrees, Amberley was 14.8C, Archerfield was 16.8C but Redcliffe towards the coast there was 20.6C,” Ms Reed said.

“We’re not necessarily going to see quite that high today … those warmer temperatures will be further inland.”

The Bureau predicts isolated showers and gusty thunderstorms about southeast inland Queensland and possible severe thunderstorms in the southern interior.

Most parts of Queensland are sweltering through the heatwave.

Those winds will come light to moderate northeast/north-westerly, tending fresh to strong in the southwest of the state with locally severe fire dangers.

Severe to extreme heatwave conditions are developing over the northwest, northern interior and central regions with locally severe heatwave conditions in the southeast.

However there is little relief expected for western parts of the state with maximums expected to constantly stick around 44C for the rest of the week.