Cairns weather: Heatwave temperature at Cairns Racecourse breaks record

A new February temperature record has been set in Cairns today as the region swelters through a heatwave. Thankfully, there’s a clear end in sight.

• Temperature soars past 38 degrees in Cairns
• Weekend heatwave ‘good dummy run’ for bat carers

UPDATE: The temperature reached a scorching 39.7 degrees today at the Cairns Racecourse at 2.39pm.

That is 0.2 degrees above the all-time maximum temperature record for Cairns in February, recorded at the airport on February 21 last year.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Shane Kennedy said there would be one more chance to beat the record tomorrow, with Saturday predicted to be the peak of the heatwave.

“After Sunday, it’s becoming increasingly wet with a good chance for showers and thunderstorms,” he said.

Due to the burst of warm air driving the heatwave conditions the humidity was reduced, making the apparent temperature lower at 37.5 degrees.

The mercury at Cairns Airport also hit 39 degrees on the dot at 2.13pm.

Innisfail is experiencing a scorcher of a day as well, with 39.3 degrees recorded at 2.27pm.

Cardwell has gotten off lightly with 32.9 degrees thanks to some additional cloud cover.

Mareeba reached 35.6 degrees by 2.10pm.

Temperatures are expected to remain high today going into tomorrow, with a top of 37 degrees in the forecast for Saturday, 36 on Sunday before cooling off from Monday as a wet trough brings cooling showers and cloudy conditions back to the Far North.

It's hot and only getting hotter from here on out. Sisters Sumaya, 10, and Iesha Hargrave, 13, from Brinsmead beating the heat in the cool water of Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park with their dogs Zeus and Jen. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

EARLIER: Cairns residents are being urged to keep cool, even at night, as the latest heatwave appears set to reach record night temperatures not experienced in more than 40 years.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting minimum temperature records could potentially tumble as hot, dry air from the Queensland interior assaults the city.

Forecaster Rosa Hoff said the highest minimum on record was 28.4 degrees, which was recorded at the Cairns Airport weather station on February 2, 1978.

“With this heatwave, we’re expecting minimum temperatures of around 27, so certainly keep an eye out,” she said.

“By comparison, the highest maximum temperature record for Cairns at this stage was 39.5 degrees on February 21 last year.”

This heat was being caused by west to south-westerly winds dragging in hot dry air from inland Queensland.

“We’re seeing low humidity as well for the area at night, which people would be feeling as well,” Ms Hoff said.

Sumaya, 10, and Iesha Hargrave, 13, from Brinsmead beating the heat in the cool water of Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

“We also have a little bit of cloud around insulating the area, which is normally what cools things down overnight.

“But the hot air is still blowing in even at night, which is stopping that from happening and which is what’s making it feel warmer. It’s not seeing as much release off the sea breeze.”

There is a clear end in sight for the heatwave, with forecasts showing maximum temperatures dropping down to 33 degrees on Monday, coinciding with some showers over the next couple of days.

“The rainfall, and the cloud cover that comes with it will help shield us from the sun’s effects,” Ms Hoff said.

Spectacled flying foxes, commonly known as fruit bats, roost in large fig trees near the Cairns City Library in the CBD. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

“There’s also a change in direction forecast for the wind, so there’ll be less hot, dry air coming from the southwest.”

Residents have been warned to look out for children, pets and the elderly, who are the most at risk during a heatwave.

Bats and Trees Society of Cairns president Maree Treadwell-Kerr said her team was on standby.

“We’re going to have volunteers keeping an eye on the bat populations at Port Douglas, Anderson Street and in the city over the next few days,” she said.

Temperatures spiked at 2pm yesterday, when the Cairns Airport recorded 38.6 degrees, less than one degree shy of last year’s maximum record.

The racecourse weather station recorded 38.4 at the same time, with a brutal apparent temperature of 39.9.

In the Gulf, Burketown reached 39.4 degrees just before 2pm, while Mareeba was one of the “coolest” spots with a top of 35.3 degrees.

Originally published as Cairns weather: Heatwave temperature at Cairns Racecourse breaks record