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QLD heat causes May records to tumble

Kim Westcott, Wednesday May 11, 2016 - 12:12 AEST

Monthly heat records continue to fall in Queensland as summer-like warmth remains.

On Tuesday, Rockhampton had its hottest May day in 77 years as the mercury climbed to nearly 33 degrees. High humidity and light winds also made it feel warmer than the temperature suggests, making it feel closer to 34 or 35 degrees.

In Mackay, yesterday's maximum of 30.3 degrees was the equal hottest May day since 1948. Interestingly, it was only last week that we saw an identical temperature.

It was 43 years ago since Maryborough was this warm during May, with the mercury hitting 31.1 degrees. For both Lucinda Point and Mareeba, yesterday was the warmest May day in more than a decade.

While the trough that carried this warmth from inland Australia to QLD has now passed and moved offshore, the heat will rebound quickly once the cloudband clears. However, at least dry southwesterly winds will keep humidity levels down.

By Thursday, skies will become much clearer as a large high pressure system begins to take over, with daytime temperatures will return the the high 20's and low 30's. Mostly sunny skies and warm days will be on the cards for the remainder of this week and as well as much of next week.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2016

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