Mercury misses 41C, but there's more heat to come
HOSPITAL and ambulance workers breathed a sigh of relief yesterday, with the temperature in Ipswich peaking at 39.3C rather than the forecast 41C.
The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and Queensland Health had expected an increase in patients suffering from heat- related illness, but QAS received only one call to a patient suffering from the heat.
The Bureau of Meteorology's (BoM) Amberley station recorded the top temperature of 39.3C at 2.34pm, but Gatton residents suffered in 40C heat - recorded at 2.55pm.
Temperatures in Ipswich and Gatton were the hottest recorded across BoM's southeast coast region, with the Brisbane central station recording a top of 33.3C.
Pools across the city were a big hit with holidaying students, while others found relief in the waters of Lake Wivenhoe.
Ipswich's hottest January day - which was also the hottest day ever recorded in the city - was 44.3C in 1994. January temperatures have not exceeded 42C since 2004.
The sizzling weather is not only hitting Queensland, with Australia-wide records broken this week for the longest running heatwave and the highest national average daily temperature.
The BoM has advised the national heatwave could continue, with more 39C Australia-wide average days expected.
In Ipswich, residents will get some relief with a possible shower or storm and a maximum of 36C forecast for today.
Clouds will clear on Saturday and temperatures will rise to 38C and Sunday will be sunny with a scorching 39C.
Forecasts indicate the warm weather will continue next week.
Heat-related illness warnings from Queensland Health and the Queensland Ambulance Service on Monday still apply, with elderly and the very young among the most vulnerable.
SUMMER HIGHS
The hottest temperatures recorded in Ipswich over the past 20 years were:
- 2012: 40.6C
- 2011: 36.9C
- 2010: 38.0C
- 2009: 40.3C
- 2008: 39.5C
- 2007: 38.9C
- 2006: 40.5C
- 2005: 40.2C
- 2004: 42.3C
- 2003: 38.3C
- 2002: 41.6C
- 2001: 41.1C
- 2000: 40.7C
- 1999: 37.3C
- 1998: 40.1C
- 1997: 37.1C
- 1996: 40.4C
- 1995: 38.7C
- 1994: 44.3C
- 1993: 40.6C
- 1992: 37.2C
