Slip, slop, slap as pre-summer hits

Jack Moore cools off during the rugby grand finals at Marley Brown Oval in Gladstone.

Derrick Den Hollander

GLADSTONE residents can expect a warm couple of days, with higher than average temperatures expected to continue till at least mid-week.

The cloudless days are expected to continue, forcing locals to find creative ways to beat the pre-summer heat.

North to north westerly winds are pushing temperatures up to five degrees above average for coastal communities.

The Bureau of Meteorology was expecting a maximum of 28 degrees for Gladstone today, but it will be hotter inland, with Rockhampton and Biloela expecting 31 and 33 respectively.

And while the warmer weather was a boon for the region's sportsmen, it proved to be delightful for the Relay for Life walkers.

Experiencing a mild night, the 550 people walking for cancer had little to worry about, but for some early morning fog.

Maximum temperatures are expected to remain above average until Wednesday, when the trough system retreats west.

This will see the reformation of the ridge bring in cooler south-easterly breezes by Thursday.

The bureau is predicting isolated showers and thunderstorms in the Capricornia region on Thursday, but these will be fleeting.

But while it's hot and dry, there is a high fire danger throughout the week, giving little rest to the area's firefighting crew.

Those heading outside will need to remain vigilant, with UV ratings at a constant high with the danger of sunburn to unprotected skin.

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