Queensland heat: Records fall, heat continues

30/12/2013

Much of Queensland is continuing to swelter as a prolonged heatwave develops and temperature records fall.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Regional Director Queensland, Rob Webb, said day and night temperature records have been broken, with a number of inland towns recording temperatures above 40C for much of the past week, and a number of locations across the state recording their highest December and highest ever temperatures on Sunday.

He said preliminary data show that Miles (43.8C) and Roma (44.7C) both broke long term records. And the current St George observation site was only 0.1C shy of the hottest day recorded at a nearby observation site 88 years ago in 1925.
Towns like Windorah (47.3C), Oakey (40.3C), Injune (43.2C) Charleville (46.0C) and Quilpie (46.2C) with records dating back 40-70years had their hottest December days. Longreach recorded its warmest ever night at 30.7C, breaking a 45 year record.

Mr Webb said the extreme heat is being caused by “a slow moving air mass which remains stagnant over Queensland. Without any major weather systems likely to move it out of the State in coming days, we expect the heat will continue until the weekend.”

“Given that forecast, the length and strength of this heatwave is significant, with Longreach likely to have maximum temperatures in the mid 40’s until the weekend. If that happens, it will be the first time temperatures have been so high for so long in 50 years of records.“

He said the hot days and warm nights are a timely reminder to people to “stay cool, drink plenty of water and keep an eye on the frail and sick in your community.”

Go to the Heat safe websife for more information.