Soaring temperatures and severe storms on the radar for Queensland

Australians suffering from asthma and hay fever in one state have been warned a temperature spike and incoming storms could be a dangerous weather cocktail.

Soaring temperatures and severe storms are on the radar for Queensland and high pollen levels are forecast to follow suit.

Above average temperatures are expected to hit most parts of the state, the Bureau of Meteorology’s senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury told Today.

“Over the next few days we’re going to see heat pretty much across all of Queensland,” Bradbury said.

“Above average temperatures, generally in the high 20s, at least, if not low to mid-30s, pushing up to the higher 30s across those inland areas.”

Bradbury said with the warmer weather there is also a high chance of thunderstorms after the long weekend.

She said Tuesday will bring the worst of the storms for Queenslanders.

“From Tuesday, storms will increase, becoming much more widespread and with a greater risk of becoming severe storms as well, so becoming much more dangerous,” she said.

Maximum temperatures in the state are set to be eight degrees higher than average across south-east Queensland.

Early next week, Brisbane is forecast to reach 33 degrees on Sunday, Ipswich 36 and the Sunshine Coast 31.

The warm, windy conditions are forecast to trigger an earlier grass pollen season in Queensland, posing a threat to those with hay fever or asthma.

Victoria is also gearing up for a challenging pollen season, with expectations this year will be similar to 2023 high pollen levels.

Dr Edwin Lampugnani, chief operating and scientific officer of AirHealth, said: “At this stage we are expecting a bigger than average grass pollen season, one which is similar to last year.

“Forecasted rainfall could trigger a surge in grass growth that could increase the amount of grass pollen in the air.”

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