Weather update: Australia’s east faces heatwave as Norfolk Island dodges tropical cyclone Gabrielle
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State braces for a scorching as the hottest day of the year dawns and cyclone wreaks havoc on New Zealand after it hits the Australian island idyll – here’s the weather in your local town
- Queensland will experience a heat wave on Sunday
- Temperatures are expected to be 10C above average
- Norfolk Island has avoided the worst of Cyclone Gabrielle
Queensland will swelter through a heat wave on what could be the hottest day for the state this year, as Norfolk Island avoids the worst of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle.
Temperatures in the Sunshine State are expected to soar 10°C above average on Sunday, with some cities bracing for scorching 40°C heat.
A severe heatwave warning has been issued for the QLD Central Coast and Whitsundays, Capricornia, Central Highlands and Coalfields, and Wide Bay and Burnett districts.
Inland areas will hit 40 degrees while parts of the coast will experience highs in the mid 30s.
Queensland will sweat through a heatwave on Sunday, with some cities hitting highs in excess of 40C (a beach on the Gold Coast pictured)
Temperatures will be 10°C above average in parts of Queensland, especially in the south-east.
Gympie, Gayndah, Rolleston, Taroom and Woorabinda are some of the towns and villages that will be affected by the hot weather, according to the Met Office.
Brisbane is forecast to hit a peak of 36C for the day, making it the hottest day for the Queensland capital since October 2021.
Records will also be broken in the suburbs of the city of Ipswich.
These areas are expected to peak in the high 30s, with some clearing 39C. This will be the hottest day for these suburbs since December 2020.
The Capricorn coast is also poised to hit 40C.
Fire hazard warnings have also been marked for Darling Downs and the Granite Belt District.
The Weather Bureau said scorching temperatures combined with “cool west to southwest winds” would increase the “inland southeast fire danger.”
The intense heat is expected to cool on Monday as a cooler land wind shift arrives, bringing showers and a few thunderstorms early next week.
It comes as Norfolk Island avoids the worst of extropical Cyclone Gabrielle.
Norfolk Island was battered by 105 km/h winds on Saturday night, downing power lines and trees.
Inland areas will hit 40 degrees while the coast will see highs in the mid 30s.
Norfolk Island (pictured) avoided the worst of extropical Cyclone Gabriella as the Category Two storm moved offshore overnight
The island was battered by 105 km/h winds, which downed power lines and trees.
The eye of the category two storm reached the center of the island before moving away from the coast and becoming a subtropical low pressure system.
While Norfolk Island has cleared, New Zealand has been hit with high winds and heavy rain from Sunday’s storm.
The country’s national weather service, MetService, has issued “red” warnings for high winds and rain for Auckland and Northland.
Up to 200mm of rain and winds of up to 130km/h are expected in parts of the North Island.
Several domestic and international flights in and out of Auckland, including flights scheduled for Monday, were canceled due to weather.
Power is being restored to Norfolk Island and a massive clean-up operation is underway as Norfolk Island Regional Council workers clear debris and trees from roads.
Emergency Management Norfolk Island issued an all clear alert early Sunday.
‘The tropical cyclone passed the island last night and has transitioned to a tropical low and is estimated to be 185 kilometers east southeast of the island, EMNI said.
“Hurricane-force winds are no longer expected around the island, however abnormally high tides and very strong surf may cause localized damage and coastal erosion later today.”
EMNI added that the island was lucky not to be hit by stronger winds.
“We have been extremely lucky with the cyclone’s passage as the most destructive winds have bypassed us.”