South-east Queensland expected to experience 40-degree heat
A record for the hottest day in March could be broken on Monday as the Bureau of Meteorology expects temperatures to soar above 40 degrees in south-east Queensland.
A three-day heatwave had begun on Sunday with Goondiwindi copping a maximum of 39 degrees and Laidley receiving 38 degrees.
The hottest day of the heatwave would be on Monday as temperatures spiked in areas, including Ipswich with 37-degree heat and Brisbane with 34 degrees on Sunday.
BoM meteorologist David Crock said temperatures could reach 40 degrees also in places such as Gatton, Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley before easing on Wednesday.
"Tomorrow is looking like the hottest day for the south-east," he said.
"We've actually never recorded a temperature in the 40s in the south-east coast district in March, which extends to Toowoomba and the Scenic Rim.
"This means if we do see a temperature over 40 tomorrow that'll be a first and we may see a couple of records fall in terms of March maximum temperatures."
Mr Crock said Brisbane was forecast to have a maximum temperature of 36 degrees on Monday.
"What we often find on days like this is that, depending on the sea breeze, if it's a little bit delayed coming in, we can get up to 37 degrees," he said.
"However, if it comes in earlier than that it takes the edge of the temperature and it might only get to 32 or 33 degrees so it's a tricky one to forecast for Brisbane — but otherwise it will be hot."
Mr Crock said the heatwave was not unusual as summer temperatures can still be experienced for the beginning of autumn.
"Temperatures will get pretty warm overnight so there may not be nice sleeping conditions with the heat and humidity about," he said.