Records are predicted to melt in the first week of summer for some areas of Queensland as a heatwave moves through the state.
The scorching temperatures come after a sweltering weekend, with Birdsville yesterday recording a maximum of 46.5C and potentially its highest ever minimum temperature of 33.2C.
While Queenslanders sweated through their Sunday, Wednesday is predicted to be even hotter – with fire danger warnings in place and storm activity on the cards.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast severe fire danger across the southern half of the state over the next few days, with Tuesday expected to increase the danger.
“We are looking at severe fire dangers for the Channel Country and the Maranoa and Warrego districts for Tuesday, with hot and windy conditions,” meteorologist Kimba Wong said. “Heading into Wednesday with the heat shifting a little bit into the southeast, the risk might increase throughout the southeast interior with some locally severe fire dangers, possibly around the western Darling Downs until the Central Highlands.”
Wednesday’s predicted scorcher has been described by BOM as uncommon.
“We are looking at the potential for some December records to be broken on Wednesday, potentially through that southeast inland pocket of the state,” Ms Wong said.
“That’s an indicator of how uncommon the heat is.”
Birdsville in far southwestern Queensland had a temperature range of 33.2C to 46.5C yesterday.
TOP TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK
Stanthorpe: 38C Wednesday
Toowoomba: 38C Wednesday
Oakey: 42C Wednesday
Warwick: 41C Wednesday
Dalby: 43C Wednesday
Miles: 43C Wednesday
Texas: 39C Wednesday
St George: 44C Wednesday
Cunnamulla: 45C Monday
Bollon: 45C Monday
Originally published as The town with a minimum temperature of 33C
