Queensland swelters as Birdsville hits 46C, week of 40C-plus temperatures for northwest

Queensland is starting to swelter in severe heatwave conditions with temperatures in the state’s northwest to sit over 40C for at least the next seven days.

Heatwave conditions are gripping Queensland with temperatures reaching 45C by noon, while seven straight days over 40C are forecast for the state’s northwest.

Birdsville is the hottest location in Queensland today, reaching 45.3C at 12.42pm ahead of a forecast maximum of 47C, while it was 43.3C at Ballera, 42.5C at Camooweal and 44.4C at Urandangi.

A severe heatwave is impacting Queensland. Picture: BOM

A severe heatwave warning is active for northwest and central districts, with seven straight days over 40C predicted for places like Mt Isa, Camooweal and Julia Creek.

The southeast is expected to be impacted a low intensity heatwave on Saturday when it could get to 37C in Brisbane and 40C in Ipswich.

However, the Bureau of Meteorology is warning the heatwave could intensify to severe.

“We are seeing low intensity heatwave conditions developing from the inland area of Southern Queensland extending to the coast reaching Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast,” forecaster Jonathan How said.

“Brisbane itself looks like it will be within the severe intensity conditions in the coming days.

“It is still extremely hot and above average for this time of year.”

Heatwave conditions are impacting large parts of Queensland. Picture: BOM

Meanwhile, thunderstorms are possible today for parts of the Maranoa and Warrego districts, with warnings of damaging wind gusts.

The Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast could expect storms starting on Saturday and moderate rainfall for central parts of the state.

“We could see afternoon storms across South East Queensland reaching Brisbane and they could produce pretty gusty winds but we are not expecting heavy rainfall,” Mr How said.

Originally published as Queensland swelters as Birdsville hits 46C, week of 40C-plus temperatures for northwest