A "pool of heat" is sitting over Queensland today, bringing above-average temperatures. Photo: Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology
- Queensland's heatwave conditions will peak today, as a hot air mass hovers over the state.
- Western Queensland and the Channel Country will be the hottest part of the state.
- Thunderstorms are forecast along the coast, from Rockhampton to the New South Wales border.
Large areas of Queensland will continue to swelter through heatwave conditions on Monday, with the hottest parts of the state set to reach 45 degrees Celsius.
After a scorching weekend, temperatures will be above average across the state, with central, western and north-west Queensland set to be up to eight degrees above average November temperatures.
Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) meteorologist Angus Hines said the heat was also pushing out to the coast, where it would become humid and sticky.
Outback Queensland will be the hottest part of the state today. Photo: ABC Gold Coast: Julia Andre
"We've got severe heatwave warnings for many districts through much of the state and that's likely to linger right through the first half of the week," he said.
Longreach, Birdsville and Bedourie in the outback will be the hottest towns in the state, where it is expected to hit 45 degrees.
The BOM has forecast that the heat will begin to ease after Wednesday.
Mr Hines said the conditions were being caused by a large pool of heat, which was also affecting South Australia, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and even parts of northern Victoria.
Brolgas seeking shade in Longreach, one of the hottest parts of the state today. Photo: ABC Western Queensland: Hannah Walsh
"It's a heat bubble which builds in the north-west of Australia and then when that heat meets a bit of wind, it gets pushed around to other areas," he said.
"We've seen a lot of hot wind in the atmosphere and that brings that very hot air to other areas."
In an extreme heat warning, Queensland Health urged people to stay indoors, limit physical activity and drink plenty of fluids.
Southern storms
Alternatively, the southern half of Queensland's coast is bracing for the likelihood of severe thunderstorms today.
The BOM has forecast severe thunderstorms all the way from Rockhampton down the coast to Coolangatta at the New South Wales border.
Storms are expected along the southern half of Queensland's coast today. Photo: ABC Wide Bay: Johanna Marie
Mr Hines said elevated inland areas adjacent to the coastline, such as the Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast hinterland and Toowoomba, were also at risk of severe storms.
"Across this area it might be fairly bright and sunny through most of the morning and then it's expected that storms are going to develop through the afternoon," he said.
The weather bureau warned the storms could bring heavy rain, which could lead to flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones.
While heat will begin to ease in the northern half of the state by mid-week, south-east Queensland will continue to have hot weather through to the end of the week.
On Thursday, Brisbane is forecast to hit 36 degrees, while both Maroochydore and Surfers Paradise will be 34 degrees.
- ABC
