Bureau of Meteorology issues heatwave warning for Queensland, NT

A fresh heatwave warning has been issued for vast stretches of Queensland and the Northern Territory, with the north of Australia tipped to be “one of the hottest places in the world” this week.

For Queensland, the dangerous heat is forecast to stretch from Toowoomba in the south and Birdsville in the western outback through to Weipa and Thursday Island in the far north, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

A low intensity heatwave will cover much of the inland part of the state, while a “severe heatwave” is forecast for the Channel Country and Maranoa and Warrego Districts, with towns such as Cunnamulla, Thargomindah and Quilpie in the firing line.

“Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” the bureau stated in its warning.

“Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre.

“Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home.

“If available, use fans or airconditioners to keep cool.”

Maximum temperatures are set to reach the high thirties to low forties across the inland parts of the state.

“The heat will peak on Wednesday and Thursday with temperatures in the low to mid forties, with overnight minimum temperatures in the mid to high twenties,” the Bureau states.

In Brisbane, temperatures are forecast to hit a max of 30 degrees celsius on Monday, 32 degrees on Tuesday, 31 degrees on Wednesday, 32 degrees on Thursday and then 33 degrees on Friday.

An extreme fire danger warning is also in place for the Channel Country.

Weather forecaster Weatherzone said the northern half of Australia will likely be “one of the hottest places in the world” this week, though temperatures will rise all over the country.

“A mass of hot air will spread across Australia this week, causing temperatures to climb in parts of every state and territory,” Weatherzone’s Ben Domensino said on Monday.

“As usual, the highest temperatures will occur over the interior and in northern parts of Australia, although even the southern states and some coastal areas will feel the pre-summer warmth.

“Maximum temperatures should get above 40 degrees in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, the Northern Territory and WA this week and possibly in northwest Victoria on Wednesday.

“If the Mildura area does manage to reach 40 degrees midweek, this would be Victoria’s earliest 40 degrees day since 2009.”

A heatwave warning is in place for the Northern Territory.

“Maximum temperatures in the mid to high thirties, increasing to the mid forties in the Simpson District,” the bureau said on Monday.

“Severe heatwave conditions are to peak over the coming days, then ease later in the week for the Simpson District.

“Severe heatwave conditions over the Daly and Tiwi Districts are expected to build and persist over the coming week.”

In Darwin, maximum temperatures are expected to hit 34 degrees on Monday, 35 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday and 34 degrees on Thursday and Friday.

BOM had not issued a heatwave warning for NSW as of Monday afternoon.

In Sydney, max temperatures are forecast to hit 22 degrees on Monday, 23 degrees on Tuesday, 27 degrees on Wednesday, 32 degrees on Thursday and 29 degrees on Friday.

In Melbourne, temperatures will likely reach 27 degrees on Tuesday, 33 degrees on Wednesday, 21 degrees on Thursday and 22 degrees on Friday.

Residents in Hobart will likely experience 22 degrees on Tuesday, 29 degrees on Wednesday, 20 degrees on Thursday and 19 degrees on Friday.

In Adelaide, BOM expects temperatures to hit 31 degrees on Tuesday, 27 degrees on Wednesday, 24 degrees on Thursday and 22 degrees on Friday.

In Perth, temperatures are expected to bounce between the low to mid 20s.