Queensland is bracing itself for extreme weather as another heatwave rolls through the state, bringing along severe thunderstorms and high humidity. Today, temperatures are expected to soar, with some areas, such as Birdsville, forecasted to reach a blistering 45 degrees Celsius.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), much of Queensland is under a severe heatwave warning, with coastal areas like Cairns, Gladstone, and Townsville bearing the brunt of the soaring temperatures. Senior meteorologist Peter Markworth reported, "We're seeing temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius in the far south west, around Birdsville … seeing temperatures in the adjacent districts in the low 40s." This oppressive heat follows overnight storms, with Bundaberg and Kingaroy experiencing severe weather conditions.
With the heatwave likely to persist throughout the week, health authorities are sounding alarms to protect vulnerable populations. Townsville's Public Health Director, Dr. Steven Donahue, emphasized the dangers posed by such extreme temperatures. He stated, "They can silently kill more people than other types of disasters. Vulnerable people especially—the elderly, the sick, very young children, those with mental health conditions—can very easily get in trouble."
Efforts to keep wildlife cool have also taken shape at Townsville's Billabong Sanctuary, where animals are provided with frozen water bottles. General manager Cameron Griffiths explained, "For our koalas, we have frozen water bottles, which they hug onto."
Today's forecast brings the expectation of more storms, expected to sweep from the New South Wales border through the Carnarvon Ranges to Townsville. Areas such as Emerald and Rockhampton could face large hail and damaging winds, leading to warnings for local residents.
Residents of the Central Highlands reported strong winds up to 94 kilometers per hour and damaging storms overnight. Parts of Winton grappled with the aftermath, where Mayor Cathy White noted, "We had a bit of hail and very strong winds. We're very grateful for the rain because it's been terribly dry…and like most of central western Queensland, we have been extremely hot during the heatwave." She also mentioned the importance of rain for the drought-stricken regions, stating, "No-one wants the damaging, strong winds, but if it's got rain, we'll take it."
Ergon Energy has been responding to the widespread power outages caused by the storms, affecting areas from Stanthorpe to Cairns. Their spokesperson, Rob Stork, remarked on the severity of the lightning strikes during the storms, stating, "We had about 30,000 lightning strikes within a 100km radius of Bundaberg."
Despite the severe heat and thunderstorm warnings, many Queenslanders are finding means to cool off, hitting local swimming holes and lagoons. Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre's lessee, Ryan Sheahan, noted increased attendance at the waterways, indicating everyone is trying to beat the heat. "Our swimming holes are pretty full around the local area," he said.
Today’s temperatures are set to hover around 37 degrees Celsius for Brisbane, Ipswich, and the Sunshine Coast, adding to the discomfort experienced by residents. The town of Aramac also faced the aftermath of severe weather, where residents cleaned up debris from strong winds and hail.
Granite Belt Growers Association president Connie Taylor recounted the devastating impacts of the hailstorms on local agriculture, noting, "I have seen hailstorms, but I cannot recall hailstones being this size ever in my life, so it's been an unbelievable shock to the system." This showcases how multiple sectors and communities are suffering under the oppressive weather conditions.
While meteorologists warn of continued severe weather, they also express concerns over the prolonged heatwave. Markworth concluded, "We do still need to be mindful of potentially severe storms across the next couple of days as the burst of heat continues, with temperatures likely ranging three to seven degrees above average."
With Queenslanders enduring summer's punishing conditions—where the extreme heat meets the disruptive force of storms—the urgency remains clear: communities must stay aware, vigilant, and prepared for whatever Mother Nature delivers next.