Record-breaking 40C heatwave blasts Queensland as summer rolls on - but a massive thunderstorm is barrelling towards Australia’s east coast
- Record showed Monday was the hottest March day in Queensland for 12 years
- State sweltered through highs of 40C and heatwave is set to continue
- Sydney will sweat through 33C before late thunderstorms on Tuesday
- Cool relief will hit Sydney as temperatures drop 10C for the rest of the week
Queenslanders are sweating through the hottest March heatwave in 12 years after the mercury hit 40C on Monday.
As many endure more blistering temperatures on Tuesday meteorologists have also warned that a massive thunderstorm is barrelling towards Australia's east coast.
A severe weather warning was issued on Monday and thunderstorms are expected to hit the Sunshine Coast and Gympie on Tuesday afternoon.
It comes after a slow-moving low-pressure trough directly over Queensland led to the hot air mass hitting the state's southeast yesterday.
Gatton, in the state's south-east, recorded a sweltering 40C just after 1pm - its highest March temperature since 1965.
Gatton, in the state's south-east, recorded a sweltering 40C just after 1pm - its highest March temperature since 1965
A slow-moving low pressure trough directly over Queensland led to the hot air mass hitting the state's southeast on Monday (pictured: Queenslanders soak up the sun)
Monday was Queensland's hottest March day in 12 years despite the destructive storms, winds and hailstones that hit the state (Surfer's Paradise pictured)
According to the Weatherzone website, Warwick also endured a record-breaking 37.4C.
Ipswich also sweltered in highs of 38.6C and Gayndah sweated through 39.8 degrees.
Severe weather warnings were also issued on Monday as Coolangatta and areas north of Noosa Heads were battered by storms, strong winds and hailstones.
On Tuesday, the hot weather is expected to continue in Queensland with temperatures expected to reach 36C.
Severe weather warnings were also issued on Monday as Coolangatta and areas north of Noosa Heads weres battered by storms, strong winds and hailstones
Meanwhile, Sydney is set to swelter through 33C with a possible thunderstorm later on Tuesday evening.
Cooler temperatures will hit the city on Wednesday and the rest of the week as the mercury drops by almost 10C.
Victoria is also experiencing cooler temperatures and rain but can expect warmer weather towards the end of the week.
South Australia is also enjoying a cool 21C today before temperatures climb to 30C this weekend.
Western Australia is basking in warmer weather with temperatures ranging from 26C to 31C all week.
The Northern Territory will experience humid highs of 34C with occasional thunderstorms.
On Tuesday, Tasmania will be a chilly 16C before temperatures reach 26C later in the week.
