Queensland is bracing for a heatwave, with temperatures expected to soar above average in the coming days. The Bureau of Meteorology predicts that some areas, particularly in western Queensland, could see record-breaking highs.

Meteorologist Baden Gilbert stated that temperatures could reach the low 40s Celsius, especially from the Gulf Coast to the Channel Country. "We're looking at some 45s (degrees) out of Birdsville on Monday or Tuesday, which puts us right near the October record for the hottest temperature we've observed in Queensland, anywhere in the state," he said.

Coastal regions are also expected to experience warmer weather, with temperatures forecasted to be two to five degrees above average throughout the week. Gilbert noted that Thursday could be particularly hot for southern and central Queensland, potentially marking the hottest day in some coastal areas for quite some time.

Inland residents should prepare for even higher temperatures, with some areas possibly exceeding their October averages by more than 10 degrees, and in some cases, reaching 12 degrees above normal on peak days.

Following recent hailstorms that affected the southeast, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a dry week ahead. On Saturday, Caloundra Airport recorded 60 millimeters of rain, while South Ripley saw 29 millimeters. Gilbert explained, "We saw some storms forming just over the border of New South Wales and then moving across the Scenic Rim and then up through towards the Springfield, Ipswich area and then through to Samford and Caboolture. That's where we saw our greatest rainfall totals on Saturday, and we also saw some observations of large and potentially giant hail from those storms."

While there may be slight storms in the southern interior on Wednesday, with a possibility of extending to the southeast on Thursday, significant rainfall is not expected. Gilbert indicated that a more substantial pulse of rain might return to the southeast by next Sunday.

The fire risk remains elevated across much of Queensland, prompting fire bans in regions including Townsville, parts of central Queensland, and Wide Bay. Residents are urged to stay vigilant as conditions remain dry and hot.