A heatwave has commenced in Queensland.  

Temperatures were unseasonably warm in the Sunshine State last night, and it's only just the beginning of a heatwave that will affect Queensland for about the next week. The temperature at Charleville, Qld only dropped to 23.0 degrees overnight, which was the warmest October minimum experienced there in 7 years. Similarly, Applethorpe, Qld experienced their warmest October night in 10 years with a minimum temperature of 17.6 degrees.  

Daytime temperatures have soared too. Cloncurry reached a high of 40.1 degrees yesterday, and it was the first time they have surpassed 40 degrees since January. Furthermore, Cloncurry is expected to reach 40 degrees most days next week.  

In fact, areas of northern and central Queensland are forecast to experience severe heatwave conditions mid- to late next week. 

Image: Heatwave severity for the three days starting Wednesday, 23 October 2024.

There are early indications that the heatwave will ease in intensity from about Saturday, 26 October.