No relief as hot weather rolls in

HEATWAVE temperatures across the South East soared yesterday with the “feels like” mercury reaching 36C by 10am.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe heatwave warning for the South East Coast District with temperatures set to hit 9C above average.

Brisbane, Beaudesert, Boonah, Beenleigh and Ipswich are all likely to be impacted, the warning says.

In Toowoomba, the temperature rose to 34.6C by 10.30am.

The roasting heat climbed rapidly across the morning with the apparent temperature at Tewantin on the Sunshine Coast 36.3C by 10am and the Gold Coast felt like 35.6C. The actual temperatures had also cracked 32C by midmorning.

Brisbane was sitting at 30.5C by 10am with a “feels like” temperature of 34.6C.

Ipswich residents were forecast to expect temperatures of up to 38C, with Brisbane and Logan not far behind with an expected maximum of 36C, although the apparent – or “feels like” – temperatures will be higher.

Areas along the coast were expected to see a peak by late morning, while inland areas had to wait until this afternoon.

Persistent high humidity means that despite this peak, residents may not feel a huge relief from the heat when temperatures begin to fall.

High humidity featured overnight, making Brisbane’s minimum temperature of 23.8C feel like 30C.

A BOM spokesman said residents should see milder temperatures from tomorrow, however further heatwaves couldn’t be ruled out.

Senior meteorology Harry Clark said reprieve from the heatwave would unlikely be felt until early next week.

“It doesn‘t really fully ease until we get to the early parts of next week,” he said.