An expected scorcher of a day has sparked a warning from Queensland Ambulance Service of the dangers of heat-related illnesses, with concerns that the effects could be even fatal.
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South-east Queensland is expected to experience a top of 36 degrees on Friday with a very slight chance of thunderstorms, while Central Queensland will be hit with temperatures in the low 40s, according to the weather bureau.
QAS clinical quality and patient safety director Tony Hucker said Queenslanders needed to prepare themselves for what was to come.
"I think we need to be really careful — this looks like it’s going to get really hot," he said, adding that "when it comes up so quickly, there’s a real risk and the people we are most concerned about when there’s a heat events are the older folks, young kids and people who are sick at home".
Mr Hucker urged people to take measures or precautions, including keeping hydrated, wearing loose clothing and staying indoors to avoid heat strokes.
"When it gets really hot, you can get really sick and if you’re not careful and you ignore it, heat-related illnesses can actually be fatal," he said.
"We see 3500 patients a day normally so on heat-related bad days like this, we can see many hundreds of extra patients and prevention is just much better than cure.
"Heat-related illnesses are easily preventable just by looking after yourself and having a bit of a think about how you’re going to plan your day ... without a plan, we could get caught out."
Mr Hucker said it was crucial to pay attention to what the weather could unfold.
"The problem with heat-related illnesses is it can sneak up on you and you don’t know it’s coming until you're actually quite ill," he said.
"I would say to people who are actually starting to feel unwell on hot days: recognise that early and just stop what you're doing, get inside, get in front of the air-conditioner or a fan, and have a drink and have a rest.
"You might have a plan to do something tomorrow; it might be playing some sport or particular if you’re an older person playing bowls — look, it’s high risk out on the bowling green."
Mr Hucker advised that people should avoid caffeinated and sweet drinks, and to stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Meteorologist Michael Knepp said Queenslanders should prepare for a change in temperature but humid weather was all part of the usual spring activity.
"Heatwaves aren't that unusual around this time but we’re approaching summer, temperatures are going to get higher," he said.
"This weather is normal around this time of year but we haven't experienced a heatwave just yet that goes on for three days.
"Friday is the only real hot day to worry about."
Mr Knepp said south-east Queenslanders would see temperatures drop throughout the weekend after the scorcher expected on Friday.
"The weekend should be cooler but fine and mostly sunny," he said.
"It will become drier in the afternoon with dry winds but the central interior of the state will cop some heat
"There doesn't look like there will be records broken but we might possibly see some on Friday.
"It will cool down overnight but there will still be above average temperatures out there, especially in central parts of the state."
