Qld set for a scorcher as records tumble in outback towns
A blistering heatwave is sending temperatures soaring across Queensland, with one outback town set to tip the record for the hottest October day.
Records could shatter across outback Queensland today as sweltering temperatures sweep across the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting temperatures more than 15C to 17C above the October average over the coming days.
Birdsville reached 44.9C on Monday, just 0.2 lower than an October record for the state. It’s tipped to hit 46C today.
The record for the hottest October day in Queensland is 45.1C.
Meanwhile, the mercury rose to 43.1C in Thargomindah on Monday – its equal-hottest day since 1879.
BoM senior meteorologist Angus Hines told InDaily the hot temperatures were an “anomaly way above the norm”.
“This burst of heat going on a few days is right at the top of the scale,” he said.
“If it gets to 46C in Birdsville, that will be a record (and) it’s going to be hot through basically across the entire state.”
Hines said Queenslanders would swelter in central and eastern parts too as winds pushed the hot air eastwards on Thursday.
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The mercury could reach 34C this week in Brisbane, while a maximum of 32C is forecast for Surfers Paradise.
Last week, workers in Queensland’s resource sector were issued a warning ahead of the heatwave.
Hines said the above-average temperatures were likely to remain from Cairns to Brisbane into December.
He encouraged people to follow heatwave advice and ensure animals, including livestock, had access to shade and water.
