Queensland Heatwave Eases as Storms Bring Cooler Temperatures
Severe storms have provided relief for parts of Queensland, but extreme heat persists in some regions with risks of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms continuing.
- A south-easterly change is bringing cooler temperatures to south-east Queensland, dropping highs by up to 7 degrees Celsius over the Australia Day long weekend.
- Severe storms swept through parts of the state, with wind gusts over 100 km/h recorded in Cloncurry and Emerald, and 80,000 lightning strikes reported in south-east Queensland.
- Power has been restored to 10,000 properties in south-east Queensland after storms caused outages and prompted calls for emergency assistance, mainly for fallen trees.
- Temperatures in western Queensland remain extreme, with highs in the mid-40s expected to persist into next week, while northern regions face increasing rainfall risks from Sunday onward.
- Meteorologists are monitoring a developing low-pressure system in the Coral Sea, which could potentially form into Queensland's first tropical cyclone of the year.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 
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