‘Uncomfortable’: Weekend heatwave warning

Millions of Australians are bracing for an “uncomfortable” weekend, with heatwave warnings in place across Queensland, NSW and the rugged Top End.

Swathes of outback Queensland, from The Gulf Country to northern NSW, are being warned by the Bureau of Meteorology to expect severe heatwave conditions across the weekend.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Angus Hines said Queensland residents could expect “another hot day” on Saturday.

“(There will be) uncomfortable weather up north because the humidity is riding very high at the moment as well,” he said in a video update.

“A near dry day statewide on Saturday but a few showers around the southeast, including the possibility of storms or even severe thunderstorms for inland parts of the Sunshine Coast and the Wide Bay.

“At the moment, looking to stay away from those coastal urban centres.”

Areas of the state’s central and Gulf Country regions are forecast to be the worst affected, with Mount Isa tipped to reach a blistering 42C – staying above 40C well into next week.

Further south, Longreach is forecast to hit a sweltering 44C on Saturday, while Roma will hit 39 degrees.

Across the border Grafton, on the NSW Northern Rivers, is forecast to hit 31C amid storms.

However, Mr Hines said NSW coastal residents can expect a “much more mild day on Saturday” thanks to onshore winds.

“Temperatures anywhere from 5 to 12 degrees cooler than what they’ve been for the last few days,” he said.

“That wind will also bring a few showers, particularly through the morning, for the coast drying to a bright and mostly sunny afternoon.

“Inland areas have a settled and clear weather with temperatures near average.”

Storms are forecast to build over the weekend and into next week in South East Queensland and northern NSW, with Byron Bay forecast for to receive up to 25mm on Monday.

Mr Hines said parts of the country would benefit from a low moving across the interior, which is forecast to bring showers and storms to parts of the NT, South Australia and Western Australia across the weekend.

A warning for severe heatwave conditions is also in place over the weekend in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, from the Kimberley, across Darwin and to the border.

“It will be hot, sticky muggy weather again for parts of the Northern Territory and around the Kimberley on Saturday and only a slight chance of any showers to help cool things off,” Mr Hines said.

“The southwestern corner of the NT seeing some of those showers and storms including potentially around Uluru.”

Meanwhile in Victoria, Mr Hines said temperatures were expected to cool slightly across the weekend.

“A fine but slightly cool day across Victoria on Saturday,” he said.

“Very little wind pretty much anywhere.

“Temperatures will range from the mid 20s in the north, Shepparton topping out at 26 down to about 16 degrees in the south for Wilsons Prom, so it’s mostly pleasant spring weather.

“Just maybe take that extra layer if you’re spending significant time outdoors or heading out for a hike.”

It comes as many of the state capitals are tipped to swelter through a balmy weekend, with Sydney forecast to hit 30C – 5C hotter than this time last year – before cooling off.

The Harbour City is set to reach a high of 26C over the weekend amid forecasts of possible showers of less than 1mm, while Brisbane residents bracing for up to 5mm on Saturday.

Possible storms are being forecast for Brisbane across Friday, the weekend, and into next week, though the mercury is also expected to reach as high as 32C on Saturday.

Hundreds of residents of the border town of Dirranbandi were forced to flee their homes after two fast-moving grass fires threatened homes and rural properties.

The blazes were largely contained by Wednesday by the Queensland Fire Department and residents advised they could return, though the fires were still at an advice level on Friday.

Elsewhere, Melbourne is tipped to reach just 21C over the weekend before rising slightly next week. Next door, Adelaide is expected to reach temperatures as high as 26C as clouds set in.

The nation’s capital, Canberra, is forecast for a maximum of 27C over the weekend, Perth 26C after storms on Friday, Hobart 19C and sunny, and Darwin a steady 35C.