Extreme heatwave to hit Far North coast and Tablelands this week

A Bureau meteorologist has warned Far North Queensland is set to sweat this week as an extreme heatwave makes its way across the coast.

As the long, hot summer weather continues unabated in Far North Queensland, Cairns locals have been seeking shady water holes to find some reprieve from the warm temperatures and sticky humidity. Kai Gross and his uncle Brock Bish cool off from the summer heat by enjoying a swim in the cool waters of Stoney Creek in Kamerunga. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Bureau meteorologist has warned Far North Queensland is set to sweat this week as an extreme heatwave makes its way across the coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology has declared an extreme heatwave warning for the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands districts heading into next week, with temperatures set to hit the mid 30s in Cairns and Innisfail and low thirties inland to Atherton and Mareeba, with minimum temperatures in the mid to high twenties across the board.

Bureau meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said the high temperatures coupled with high humidity would intensify the heat.

“Although it’s probably standard humidity for this time of year, it’s going to make it feel more like low forties,” Mr Hanniffy said.

He added the temperatures would most likely peak around Wednesday and slowly drop as wet weather creeps up north.

“Humidity will likely stick around but daytime maximums will decrease from Thursday onwards,” he said.

“It’ll come at a price, with an increase risk of shower and thunderstorm activity more broadly across the North Tropical Coast and localised moderate to heavy falls further inland.”

Originally published as Extreme heatwave to hit Far North coast and Tablelands this week