Overview
- The Bureau of Meteorology has a heatwave warning for much of northern and western Queensland from Bundaberg northwards, with severe heat also expected in parts of the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia.
- Daytime highs and overnight minimums are running 3 to 8 degrees above average, after Birdsville set an October mark earlier this week at 46.1C.
- Health authorities in central Queensland urge precautions and expect a likely rise in heat-related hospital presentations, with extra staffing on standby.
- Hot, dry and windy conditions are maintaining high fire danger across northern and eastern Australia as crews continue working on existing fires.
- Thunderstorms are developing over inland Western Australia and western South Australia and will shift east through the weekend, bringing risks of damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain, with nearly 400,000 lightning strikes recorded over the NT since Thursday.