Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald weather: Heatwave smashing parts of Queensland to continue into weekend

‘Feels like the middle of Summer’: While parts of the southeast are still inundated by flooding, Central and North Queensland is enduring a heatwave which will remain for days to come. See where temperatures have soared.

Isla Catlin, 20 months, Yeppoon, kept cool in Central Queensland's 40+ degree heatwave by taking a dip at Rockhampton's 2nd World War Memorial Aquatic Centre on Thursday, March 3, 2022.

Temperatures topped 40C in Rockhampton, Biloela, Emerald, Blackwater, Moranbah, Rolleston, Clermont, Longreach and Winton on Thursday as heatwave conditions persist across the region - breaking March weather records.

Authorities urged residents to limit their time outside, with Rockhampton notching up a maximum of 40.7C just before 2pm

Meanwhile in Emerald and Moranbah, the mercury hit 42.1 - smashing records for the hottest March day on record in both towns.

Emerald’s hottest March day on record according to Bureau of Meteorology data was 41.7C on March 12, 2019 while Moranbah’s was 40.4 on March 9, 1995.

In Clermont and Blackwater it topped out at 41C while in Biloela, Winton and Longreach it was 40.2C.

While generally cooler, coastal areas such as Gladstone and Yeppoon were not exempt from the scorching heat with highs of 37.4 and 37.7 respectively.

Isla Catlin, 20 months, Yeppoon, kept cool in Central Queensland's 40+ degree heatwave by taking a dip at Rockhampton's 2nd World War Memorial Aquatic Centre on Thursday, March 3, 2022.

At Rockhampton’s WWII Memorial Aquatic Centre on Thursday afternoon, Yeppoon toddler Isla Catlin, 20 months, beat the heat with her mum Paige Ryan and her grandma.

“Where else would you rather be when you‘re not at work,” Paige said about the pool.

“It‘s shady, it’s cool and it’s cheap.

“It doesn’t feel like Autumn, it feels like the middle of Summer.”

It comes after a sweltering start to Autumn for the region, with Rockhampton recording a high of 39.7C on Tuesday and 38.9C on Wednesday.

In Emerald, the mercury tipped 40.7C on Wednesday and 39.1C on Tuesday.

The hottest March day on record for Rockhampton was March 8, 1995 when the mercury hit 42.1C, Gladstone’s was March 12, 2007 when it hit 41C, Yeppoon’s was March 12, 2007 at 39.1C and Emerald’s was 41.7C on March 12, 2019.

Isla Catlin, 20 months, Yeppoon, kept cool in Central Queensland's 40+ degree heatwave by taking a dip at Rockhampton's 2nd World War Memorial Aquatic Centre on Thursday, March 3, 2022.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the heatwave, which is even more extreme in Queensland’s north between Cairns and Townsville, is expected to continue until at least Tuesday.

The Gladstone Regional Council advised Central Queensland residents to drink plenty of water, plan your day out of the sun, and check on vulnerable family and friends, as well as your pets.

With the heat surging beyond 42 degrees in some parts of Central Queensland, it may be hot enough to fry an egg on the road. Picture: Lyndon Keane

“Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, are serious but you can reduce the impact of heat if you take the right precautions,” the statement read.

Central Queensland residents can expect more of the searing heat on Friday, with maximums between 34-41 forecast all weekend.

Originally published as Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald weather: Heatwave smashing parts of Queensland to continue into weekend