Heatwave to bring ‘three or four days’ of 40-degree heat to SEQ

While Brisbane itself is only tipped to reach a top of 34 degrees on Wednesday, Ipswich to the west is forecast to swelter through a 41 degree day – after not dropping below 38 degrees from Sunday.

Wednesday is also expected to see the mercury hit 44 degrees in the Lockyer Valley towns of Gatton and Laidley, with tops of 35 along the Sunshine Coast.

But the heat will first be felt more keenly further west. The Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego regions are likely to reach the mid-to-high 40s, while Birdsville could experience “a few days” at about 45 degrees from Friday.

Overnight temperatures will also bring little reprieve, remaining above or about 30 degrees across the weekend.

“And some of that over hot overnight air is also going…