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South-east Queenslanders urged to prepare for heatwave

Amy Mitchell-Whittington

Those living in southern Queensland are being urged to prepare for a severe to extreme heatwave expected to hit on the first day of summer.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a heatwave assessment Tuesday that forecast a severe to extreme heatwave for central and southern Queensland on Thursday, expected to extend across the southern border and into localised pockets of low intensity heatwaves across far north Queensland.

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Heatwave: 'no relief' for a week

Temperatures will soar up to ten degrees above average in south east Queensland for the start of summer. 7 News Queensland

Meteorologist Janine Yuasa said Friday would be the hottest day, with Brisbane to reach 38 degrees, a staggering nine degrees above the average for the city.

"Generally speaking we are expecting a ridge to develop over Queensland and that combined with winds turning more westerly will bring hot air for interior of country across to the south east," she said.

"The average maximum temperature for Brisbane city for December is 29 degrees.

"Coastal areas are likely to have some reprieve thanks to sea breezes, particularly over the weekend."

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Ms Yuasa said inland areas were likely to feel the heat the most, with Ipswich looking at a maximum temperature of 41 degrees, Birdsville 43 degrees and Roma 42 degrees.

"It is also going to be looking like the warmest day even for coastal areas, for instance on the Sunshine Coast they are expecting 37 degrees on Friday," she said.

Showers and thunderstorms were more likely to form in the days leading up to the heatwave with inland areas likely to see more activity than coastal areas.

"It does look like there is a chance to see some showers and thunderstorms across the weekend but it does look a little less likely than over the next couple of days," Ms Yuasa said.

Ms Yuasa said the soaring temperatures were likely to extend beyond the weekend.

"The temperatures are likely to remain significantly above average through into early next week at this stage," she said.

Queensland Health's disaster management website identifies those most at risk during heatwaves are the elderly, babies and young children, pregnant women, people on medications or with disability and those with drug or alcohol addictions.

The government body has recommended those who identify as at risk to plan ahead to reduce the risk of a heat-related illness by drinking plenty of water and keeping as cool as possible.

Fairfax Media approached Queensland Ambulance Service to enquire as to whether the service had a heatwave plan in place but were told no information would be made available until a later date.

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