Brisbane weather: Heatwave to follow days of severe storms

Parts of Queensland surpassed 40C as a brutal heatwave grips the state ahead of the return of violent storms. CURRENT TEMPS

Andreas Nicola

@AndreasNicola97

2 min read

December 28, 2023 - 3:40PM

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Queensland is in for more wild weather, with a heatwave expected to bring temperatures 10C above average in some areas before further stormy conditions usher in the new year.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How said from Thursday parts of Queensland such as Longreach could reach temperatures up to 46C, or about 10C above average, while Brisbane could get to 36C, about 6C above average.

By 2pm, Julia Creek in the state’s northwest was Queensland’s hottest place at 43.3C, followed by Richmond at 42.2C and Camooweal and The Monument, which were both flush on 42C.

In South East Queensland it was 34.5C in Brisbane, 36.1C in Amberley, 35.6C in Archerfield

and 34.4C in Beerburrum - down from a top of 36.4C earlier in the day.

“From Thursday we do see conditions really start to ease up but heat does come back into the southeast of the state,” he said.

“So most of Queensland’s, actually under that heatwave warning over the next few days. The worst looks to be out towards the northwest of the state.

“So hot day tomorrow. It will be a very unpleasant day.

“We are reminding people if you’re outdoors to drink plenty of water and stay out of the heat of the sun.

Severe storms are expected to impact South East Queensland from Saturday. Picture: Windy

After Friday, showers and storms are likely to redevelop with a chance to see thunderstorm activity.

Mr How said both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day was expected to be wet.

“New Year’s Eve and both New Year’s Day are fairly wet and stormy so not the best conditions Saturday, Sunday, Monday and easing up on Tuesday,” he said.

“So for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Brisbane might be a little bit showery so you should be able to check the forecast and just to plan ahead.

Queensland is bracing for heatwave conditions over the next 48 hours, with temperatures to get as high as 46C, which is 10C above average. Picture: weatherwatch.net.au

Mr How said the system that caused the storms was slow moving and will be out over the water by Thursday morning which is why storms will ease for a few days.

“But then we see another heat trough moving in from the west, it will move over the NT and into South East Queensland from tomorrow and basically drag the heat in,” he said.

“But then we see another heat trough moving in from the west, it will move over the NT and into South East Queensland from tomorrow and basically drag the heat in.

From Thursday the humidity is also expected to add to the heat.

The @BOM_Qld has advised extreme and severe #Heatwaves will impact parts of western, central, northern, far northern, and #SEQld from today until Saturday 30 December. Please take #Heatwave precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe. pic.twitter.com/5yNuYHc6iD
â€” Transport and Main Roads Queensland (@TMRQld) December 27, 2023

“For Brisbane it’s definitely more humid. So from tomorrow especially some of those eastern suburbs along the coast looking to be humid conditions combined with those hot temperatures,” he said.

“But the further inland you go towards Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, it does dry out a little bit but there is still some humidity in the air which will make it quite uncomfortable.”