Weather News

Summer opening with a heatwave

Summer will turn up right on time for parts of Australia's eastern inland, with a heatwave forecast for some areas in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.

The Bureau of Meteorology are forecasting heatwave conditions through these regions from the first day of summer, with temperatures expected to soar around 10 above average at the end of this week.

The most severe affected regions will be Queensland's central inland and Darling Downs and Granite Belt and the northeast inland of New South Wales.

Oakey is forecast to reach 38-39 degrees from Friday until Sunday, well above the December average of 30 degrees, with overnight temperatures struggling to drop below 20. Further north, Emerald will be pushing 40 degrees for these three days.

Brisbane will be less impacted due to sea breezes, although highs in the low to mid thirties are expected for the first few days of summer. Sydney will have the early summer heat broken by a weak cool change on the weekend.

The intensity and longevity of heat in these areas during the opening week of summer may be dangerous for elderly people, infants and those with pre-existing medical conditions. People should make plans to avoid unnecessary physical activity, drink plenty of water, stay in a cool place and take care of others.

While heatwaves may seem benign compared to other types of extreme weather, they have taken more lives than any other natural hazard in Australia.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2016

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