Heatwave smashes longstanding record
TOOWOOMBA trainee concreter Cody Andrews was one many sweltering across work sites yesterday, as the ongoing heatwave set new record temperatures across parts of the region.
In Applethorpe, a historic 48 year record was broken as the afternoon temperature reached 37.5 degrees.
The previous December record had been 36.8 degrees, measured on December 24, 1972.
Warwick and the Dalby Airport also saw new record December temperatures, reaching 40.8 degrees and 41.7 degrees respectively.
In Toowoomba, Mr Andrews and many others on outdoor work sites kept well hydrated as afternoon temperatures hit 36.1 degrees in the late afternoon.
Close by, temperatures soared in Oakey and Wellcamp, which recorded maximums of 39.2 degrees and 38.5 degrees respectively.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Rosa Hoff said today would bring brief respite before temperatures climbed again.
“We are expecting the heatwave conditions to ease back briefly (today) as a cool change allows some air up from the south and the east to knock the top off those temperatures,” Ms Hoff said.
“Inland we could see the temperature change by as much as nine degrees, but it’s still likely to be a warm temperature.
“Unfortunately this will not be long term relief as from Friday onwards the temperatures will pick up and we’ll be back at the same level of warmth that we’re at now for the weekend.”
The boiling temperatures have ushered in a busy period for emergency services and healthcare workers across the Darling Downs.
Three water bombers were deployed to fight a large grass fire at Cecil Plains yesterday, while other crews battled blazes at Back Plains, Willowvale and Junabee.
A Darling Downs Health spokeswoman said four people had been admitted to the Toowoomba Hospital emergency department since Saturday, suffering from “conditions related directly to the heat”.