Heatwave health warning issued for large parts of Queensland

A low intensity heatwave impacting central and southern Queensland is set to explode in the coming days, with a warning the sweltering conditions “may pose a health risk”.

Severe to extreme conditions are set to blanket most of the state from Wednesday.

Temperatures in the Central Highlands, Central West and North West nudged or topped 40C on Tuesday, but more uncomfortable conditions are in store and more broadly across the state.

“Extreme heatwave conditions are expected to reach a severity that may pose a health risk to those in areas extending from Bribie Island, north of Brisbane, up to Rainbow Beach near Gympie, and parts of the Mackay and Isaac regions,” Queensland Health said on Tuesday.

“Severe heatwave conditions are expected to impact areas extending between the Gold Coast and Mackay, and inland to Longreach.”

The advice for people in the impacted areas is to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, limit strenuous activity, use fans or air conditioning, and drink water.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the severe heatwave conditions are “expected to persist over inland parts until at least next week”.

Extreme conditions are forecast between Wednesday and Friday.

“A milder southerly change will bring some relief to eastern districts over the weekend,” the bureau said.

Severe thunderstorms packing damaging wind and large hail are also possible across the Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, and Sunshine Coast regions on Wednesday.

There is also a chance of storms over much of northern, central and southeast Queensland, including Brisbane.