Three-day heatwave to hit SEQ for the final weekend of the year

South-east Queensland is set to swelter through the last weekend of the year, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a heatwave warning for the next three days.

The low to severe warning, currently in effect, will see Brisbane reach a maximum of 33 degrees on Friday and 37 degrees on Saturday before dropping to 32 degrees on Sunday.

The severe heatwave warning will extend to other areas including the Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Wide Bay and Burnett and south-east coast districts.

A heatwave warning has been issued across vast parts of Queensland. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology

Meteorologist Daniel Hayes said the warm conditions through the north of the state are normal for this time of year, but a trough pushing into the western parts of Queensland has made it hotter than usual further south.

“So the expectation is that we’ll see the temperature in Brisbane get up to around about 37 tomorrow, 39 out at Ipswich and 40 degrees in Gatton,” Hayes said.

“As that [trough] comes through, we’ll also see hot and dry northwesterly winds coming down.”

The Bureau has advised the chance of scattered showers and possible thunderstorms heading into the new week too.

“There is a chance of showers and possibly some thunderstorms tomorrow as well,” Hayes said.

“Some of the storms could, in fact, be severe, but the risk would be more about the possibility of damaging winds.

“The chance of thunderstorms increases through the rest of next week as the trough moves and that southerly change comes up from the south and brings the temperature back to around 32 degrees on Sunday.”

The temperatures are slightly above the December averages and at least a degree or two above the January average.

From Friday, the UV index is predicted to reach 13, a level considered extreme.

Extreme heat events are particularly dangerous for older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and people with medical conditions.

The Bureau has advised residents in heat affected areas to closely monitor those around them at risk, keep out of the heat, drink plenty of water and stay as cool as possible.

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