School holiday heatwave: Qld set to be hit with mid week heatwave

The Bureau is urging Queenslanders to make the most of the nice weather while you still can, with temperatures set to hit 10 degrees above average next week. SEE THE FORECAST

Queenslanders are urged to make the most of this weekend’s nicer weather as the state braces for midweek heatwave, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting temperatures to hit up to 10 degrees above average.

Senior meteorologist Harry Clark said temperatures are expected to reach their maximum on Wednesday Queensland’s inland areas, and Thursday for the South-East.

“Southern central Queensland will really start to warm up during the week and will peak in terms of maximum temperatures on Wednesday through inland areas, like Charleville and St George and on Thursday for southeast Queensland,” he said.

Queensland temperature forecast for Wednesday September 20. Photo: Windy.com

The Bureau of Meteorology said temperatures are forecast to hit the mid-thirties throughout the Southern part of the state.

“We will typically looking at maximums with that sort of peak of the heat in the low to mid 30s,” he said.

“So for Brisbane, we are looking at a maximum of 34 on Wednesday, and Ipswich 37,

“So really quite a sharp spike in that temperature, and definitely a bit of a bit of a rude shock, given it’s quite early in spring to be getting these sort of temperatures.”

The Bureau explained that this heatwave is driven by two factors, one is the build up of heat across the interior, and then secondly, a trough system affecting the Southern states, which is going to drag that heat towards southern central Queensland next week.

Conditions over the weekend are forecast as “sunny conditions across the southeast with temperatures close to average,” according to the Bureau.

Siblings Johin Brits, 9, and Anneri Brits, 6, keeping cool at Streets Beach at South Bank. Picture: Tara Croser

As temperatures continue to soar these school holidays, Surf Life Saving Queensland is asking beachgoers to heed safety advice and swim between the red and yellow flags as the patrolling season commences on September 16.

SLSQ lifesavers and lifeguards performed 3,276 rescues in 2022/23 with 85 per cent occurring outside the flagged area, a 16 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

“Last season Surf Life Saving launched a statewide campaign targeting families, reminding them of the importance of swimming between the red and yellow flags and ensuring children grow up knowing how to stay safe at the beach,” SLSQ CEO, Dave Whimpey said.