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Heat prompts fire bans in NSW

Ben Domensino, Tuesday February 19, 2019 - 16:06 AEDT

A hot air mass will linger over Queensland and northeast NSW on Wednesday, elevating fire danger ratings in some areas.

Severe to extreme heatwave conditions are affecting large parts of Queensland through the middle of this week. The stagnant hot air mass is causing temperature to climb nearly 10 degrees above average in some parts of state.

Roma reached 41.5 degrees on Tuesday and is forecast to hit 42 degrees on Wednesday. Maximum temperatures in Roma usually reach in the low thirties during February.

Townsville is forecast to reach 37 degrees on Wednesday and 36 on Thursday, more than five degrees above average for this time of year.

The heat will also spread into northeast NSW on Wednesday, elevating fire danger ratings west of the ranges. Total fire bans have been issued for the state's North Western and Northern Slopes fire areas.

Hot air near the ground should also help produce thunderstorms in parts of central and northeast NSW on Wednesday afternoon. Some of these storms could become severe, so keep up to date with the latest warnings throughout the day.

- Weatherzone

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