Far North Qld experiencing extreme heat with nights providing zero relief, BOM says

Queensland Health is urging residents to “look out for each other” as the Far North heads into an extreme heatwave, with some areas soaring to 10 degrees above average.

The Bureau of Meteorology's heatwave severity map for Tuesday, November 25. Picture: BOM

Residents across the Far North are bracing for an extreme heatwave that forecasters warn will deliver scorching days and dangerously humid nights.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an extreme heatwave warning for the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Cape York Peninsula and Gulf from Sunday November 23 to Wednesday.

“We are seeing some severe to locally extreme conditions building over the next few days, right across the North Tropical Coast, from Ingham to Cooktown, and inland as well,” BOM meteorologist Johnathan How said.

⚠️🌡️ Severe #Heatwave Warning for: most of inland #Queensland and parts of the east

Warning details: https://t.co/8F5XpNddc7

Stay heat safe: https://t.co/Uyhj1UMykjpic.twitter.com/DDAJEINZ2e

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) November 21, 2025

Mr How said day time temperatures on the coast will be eight degrees above average, with Cairns peaking at 34 degrees on Tuesday and Cooktown at 36 degrees.

“The Tablelands and areas inland of Port Douglas and Cooktown will see temperatures about 10 degrees above average,” Mr How said.

Mareeba and Atherton will reach a maximum of 38 and 35 degrees respectively on Tuesday.

Palmer River, north west of Port Douglas, will hit 42 degrees on Tuesday and see daytime maximums in the high-30s for the remainder of the week.

Mr How said the heatwave conditions were due to a combination of very hot days and sticky, muggy night-time temperatures.

“Overnight temperatures will provide very little relief,” he said.

“The Gulf will reach maximums of between 37 and 29 until Wednesday, but (will then) taper down.”

Heatwave conditions on the Cairns coast will ease from extreme to severe from Friday onwards but it will remain hot, Mr How said.

“We might see some storm activity on Thursday in Cairns, and conditions will very gradually ease back to six degrees above average by Saturday,” he said.

Queensland Health said extreme weather conditions posed a health risk as heat stress could cause a range of problems including exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke.

They urged people to stay informed and “look after each other”.

Originally published as Far North Qld experiencing extreme heat with nights providing zero relief, BOM says