Key Takeaways
- Parts of south-east Queensland can expect a slight easing of summer heat early this week, with temperatures dropping by up to 6 degrees in some areas.
- Rain and storms are expected across the state over the coming days, with severe storms forecast for central Queensland.
- The weather bureau is forecasting lower temperatures and more rain this week, with cloud cover and a change in temperature expected on Tuesday.
- The south-east is still recovering from severe storms that lashed the area in late November, with thousands left without power and homes damaged.
- The current forecast is not indicating extreme weather around the holiday period, but temperatures are expected to be slightly higher than average.
Introduction to the Weather Forecast
Parts of south-east Queensland can expect a slight easing of summer heat early this week, with the weather bureau forecasting temperatures to drop by up to 6 degrees in some areas. Rain and storms are also expected across the state over the coming days, bringing a welcome reprieve from the higher than normal temperatures that have been experienced in recent weeks. The dreary weather comes as Queensland public schools let out for school holidays, providing a timely break for students and families.
Current Weather Conditions
The current weather conditions in Queensland are characterized by warm temperatures, with Brisbane forecast to hit a maximum of 34 degrees on Monday. The Gold Coast’s maximum is 31, while Maroochydore’s is 32. Gladstone is forecast to reach a maximum of 32 degrees, while temperatures could hit 38 in Longreach and 38 in Mt Isa. Townsville, Mackay, and Cairns are all forecast to reach a maximum of 33 degrees. The Bureau of Meteorology’s Jordi Cairol said that while forecasters were "not expecting much precipitation" on Monday, Tuesday would bring a change, with more showers and thunderstorms expected, particularly around the Sunshine Coast.
Forecast for the Coming Days
The weather bureau is forecasting lower temperatures and more rain this week, with cloud cover and a change in temperature expected on Tuesday. The cloud cover will bring a significant change in temperature, with temperatures expected to drop 5 to 6 degrees to around 28. Mr. Cairol said that the weather in the state’s south-east was broadly expected to clear from Wednesday, with showers "less likely". However, severe storms are forecast for central Queensland, with a risk of heavy rainfall and damaging winds. The storms are expected to bring heavy rainfall and damaging winds, but no hail is expected.
Severe Storms and Heatwave Warning
While the weather is forecast to remain relatively mild in the south-east, Mr. Cairol said that things could be more extreme in central Queensland. The severe storms are forecast to bring heavy rainfall and damaging winds, and a heatwave warning remains in place for Cape York Peninsula. However, that is expected to ease in the coming days. Temperatures in the state’s north have been slightly below average this month, according to the BOM, and showers are expected from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Recovery from Previous Storms
Many residents are still feeling the effects of days of storms that lashed parts of the state, especially the south-east, in late November. Thousands were left without power for days after strong winds, hail, and flooding took out power infrastructure and damaged homes. Six storms over the past three months have brought hail, with the state seeing more than double the usual occurrences of giant hail than usual since July. Some of that hail has been especially large, with 14-centimetre hail recorded during a storm in November at Chandler, in Brisbane’s south-east, and 11-centimetre hail falling on the city’s bayside.
Summer Weather Outlook
As the holiday season approaches, Mr. Cairol said that the current forecast was not indicating extreme weather around the holiday period. "For the next couple of weeks, we are looking at an average chance of rain… nothing unusual," he said. "For the week from Christmas to New Year, we are expecting temperatures to be a little higher than average… temperatures have been slightly above average in general, particularly in western Queensland." Despite the severe storms, Queensland’s December rainfall is sitting slightly below average, while both maximum and minimum temperatures have been broadly above average.
