SANTA may have delivered a cooler-than-average Christmas but temperatures are set to soar in the New Year.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist James Thompson said the mercury was tipped to reach about 30 degrees by December 31.
A heatwave affecting most of Australia throughout the next week will avoid the south-east Queensland coast but hot temperatures are still expected.
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Mr Thompson said it was possible warm air from inland would be drawn across Brisbane later in January, marking a sweltering start to 2019.
Boffins had already predicted a scorching summer across most of Australia, tipping hot days and warmer-than-average nights.
The seasonal forecast was delivered on the back of one of Australia’s hottest springs and driest September on record.
However, Christmas was slightly cooler-than-average across the Redlands, with the mercury reaching about 27.7 at Alexandra Hills.
A large heatwave across most of the country is expected to intensify throughout the coming days, delivering extreme conditions across Canberra and Sydney by Wednesday.
Severe conditions are also expected across most of South Australia and New South Wales and parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory into the New Year.
New Year’s Eve fireworks across the Redlands on Monday, December 31
– 9pm at Lakeside Shopping Centre, Bunker Road, Victoria Point. Enjoy entertainment, including High Street markets, magic tricks, lawn games and more from 5pm.
– 10pm at Dickson Way Beach, Point Lookout
– 8pm and midnight at GJ Walter Park, Cleveland.
