Temperatures across parts of southern Queensland are set to be 10 degrees Celsius above average, with a three-day heatwave to sweep across the state from today.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a heatwave warning for the state's Central Coast and Whitsundays, Capricornia, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Wide Bay and Burnett districts.
It says on Sunday temperatures are expected to peak above 40C in places like Goondiwindi and Roma, and reach 39C further east in Gympie and Gayndah.
Senior forecaster Harry Clark said the heatwave was partly due to Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle that has been moving off the Queensland coast.
"As it moves towards the south-east it pushes our wind direction towards a more southerly, which is a little unusual for this of year," Mr Clarke said.
"What that does is drag a whole of hot air from the interior of the country towards the coast."
Toowoomba is expected to reach a maximum of 37C on Sunday, which the weather bureau says is about 10C higher than average.
Maximum temperatures in parts of central Queensland are also forecast to be well above average.
Overnight temperatures across much of the region are predicted to remain in the mid-20C range.
The hot conditions are expected to persist into next week, with no sign of relief for Queenslanders, according to the bureau.
Residents in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast are also in for a warm weekend with temperatures expected to be above 30C, but the bureau says afternoon sea breezes will keep the mercury down.
A low-intensity heatwave is also expected to extend into parts of north-east New South Wales, with towns such as Moree set to hit 39C on Sunday.
Extreme fire conditions
Extreme fire conditions in the Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Toowoomba and Roma are expected, with authorities concerned about the risk of grass fires.
"If we have fires, our people will not be able to control fast-moving grass fires," said Rural Fire Service Superintendent Wayne Waltisbuhl.
Extra resources are being brought into the region, with extra water-bombing aircraft, fire detection aircraft and heavy machinery on standby.
Mr Waltisbuhl said Wieambilla in the Western Downs would be an area of focus for authorities after a recent string of deliberately lit fires.
"That's part of the driest part of our whole region and we know people living in the bush there are going to be at risk," he said.
Farmers on the Western Downs say the heatwave is unwelcome.
Kupunn grain grower Wayne Newton says his crops have already started to wilt due to a lack of rain since November.
"The crops are going to do it pretty tough … there are huge cracks in the soil," Mr Newton said.
"I think there's a bit of disappointment that the tap has been turned off so tightly."
Energy concerns
The predicted heatwave has also led to concerns that Queensland's energy infrastructure may not be able to cope with expected demand.
Mining and Energy Union Queensland vice president Shane Brunker said the Callide Power Station, near Biloela in central Queensland, was of concern.
One unit is currently operating well under capacity, while a second unit that was offline for about a month has only just been restarted.
Two other units remain offline after one was damaged in an explosion in 2021 and another had its cooling tower collapse.
Mr Brunker says if anything happens to the operational units as a result of the heatwave or Cyclone Gabrielle he has concerns parts of the grid might not cope.
"The CS Energy fleet is in such a state of disrepair and they are struggling at the moment," he said.
"And it's not only the heatwave, but you've also got the effect of this bad weather that will impact the wind and solar production."
A spokesperson for Energy Minister Mick de Brenni has played down the situation.
"Queensland's power system passed with flying colours when put to the test during last week's heatwave," the spokesperson said.
"The fact everything worked exactly like it should is testament to the efforts of thousands of workers across our publicly owned energy corporations who plan for every scenario."
CS Energy chief executive Andrew Bills says the state-owned corporation is working hard to "keep delivering power for Queensland homes and businesses".
"Early [Friday] morning our team at Callide Power Station returned Unit B2 to service after it had been offline for essential maintenance to its precipitators," Mr Bills said.
"Over the next 24 hours the unit will be safely and gradually ramped up to its full capacity.
"The remainder of our operating assets are online, including Kogan Creek Power Station and Callide Unit B1."
