Queenslanders to swelter through hottest day of the year
Millions of people are in for a scorcher and the threat of severe storms on what could be the hottest day of 2024.
Environment
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Southeast Queensland is expected to swelter through its hottest day of 2024 on Saturday, with temperatures likely to soar to 40C in parts of the region.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts the mercury will peak at 40C in Ipswich and 37C in Brisbane. The Gold and Sunshine Coasts are tipped to reach 36C and 35C respectively.
If the heat is as blistering as predicted in Brisbane, it is expected to be the hottest day of the year and the warmest December day in four years.
The BOM warns the extreme heat could lead to a possibly severe thunderstorm in the late afternoon or early evening.
It is set to be even hotter in the state’s west, with temperatures in Julia Creek expected to skyrocket to 43C or even 44C.
Birdsville – where it was a scorching 47C on Boxing Day – looks likely to sweat slightly less than other parts of the state on Saturday, with an anticipated maximum of 36C.
BOM meteorologist Daniel Hayes said there was a chance of showers and storms through the state’s southeast and coastal areas from Saturday.
“We’ll have some activity through the southeast and potentially increase around the coast through New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day,” he said.
It is set to be a markedly cooler day in other parts of the country.
Darwin is expecting a warm 34C, although it will be partly cloudy with the chances of a shower in the late morning or early afternoon.
Those heading to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday can expect a mild 24C after blistering temperatures earlier in the week, though there is a chance of showers developing in the late afternoon and early evening.
Sydneysiders can also expect a cooler change after scorching temperatures and wild thunderstorms on Friday, with a maximum of 26C on Saturday.
Temperatures in Perth are tipped to peak at 29C, with Hobart residents likely to see cool and wet weather with temperatures below 20C.
Originally published as Queenslanders to swelter through hottest day of the year
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