A severe heatwave warning has been issued for Queensland’s western and southern interior today with some parts of the state’s south-west expected to experience temperatures up to 11 degrees Celsius above average.
Temperatures in the outback towns of Cunnamulla, Quilpie, Thargomindah and Windorah could reach the low the 40s this week.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said Channel Country would feel the peak of the heatwave on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“For many of these areas we’re looking at temperatures at least in the low 40s for much of, if not all, of this coming week,” he said.
“That’s three to six degrees above average across western, central and southern interior Queensland.
“Along with the heat we’ve also got gusty winds as well in the Channel Country and that’s leading to extreme fire dangers in parts of the Channel Country today.”
The mercury is set to spread to parts of western Queensland and the southern interior mid-week.
Mr Hanniffy said the hot conditions would then move further east.
“It’s going to get much warmer in the south-east, temperatures of low 30s on the coast, mid to high 30s inland as well in the latter parts of the week,” he said.
There is an extreme fire weather warning for the Channel Country and active fire bans in Paroo, Barcoo, Quilpie and Bulloo Shires.
