Fierce heatwave conditions to scorch northern Australia

Keira Jenkins | December 29, 2023

Temperatures are expected to soar across most of northern Australia over the coming days.

Parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia face extreme to severe heatwave conditions from Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

Winton in Queensland’s west is expecting 43C, while temperatures up to 37C are forecast for Gympie in the state’s storm-ravaged southeast.

Highs up to 36C are predicted in Brisbane on Friday, while Longreach in the state’s west is forecast to get to 47C over the weekend.

More than 42,000 people remained without power across southeast Queensland on Thursday as the state recorded higher than average temperatures. 

On Friday in the Northern Territory, it’s predicted to reach 40C in Katherine and 43C in Tennant Creek.

Marble Bar in WA’s Pilbara region may reach 49C on Saturday, and temperatures up to 45C are expected there for the next six days.

“In the Northern Territory, low to severe-intensity heatwave conditions cover most areas,” the bureau said in a statement.

“Locally, extreme heatwave levels are forecast around Darwin where warm minimums are leading to uncomfortable nights.

“In Queensland, low to locally severe heatwave conditions are building along the east coast, including Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and areas surrounding Cairns.”

Forecasters say people in the worst impacted areas should stay indoors, close windows and blinds to keep heat out of homes and seek out fans or air-conditioners to keep cool.

Heatwave conditions are predicted to continue in the NT and WA, while in Queensland the temperature is expected to fall from Saturday.