A series of supercells have brought hail, wind and winds across Queensland, ahead of scorching temperatures predicted for next week.
Tennis ball-sized hailstones damaged windows and sent cows running in Woodford, 72 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, as supercells swept across the state today.
The rain and cool conditions are set to be short-lived, however, with temperatures set to soar from tomorrow, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
"A hot and humid prolonged period of time really, until next Wednesday at least," BoM forecaster Rick Threlfall told 9NEWS.
Health authorities said Queenslanders need to take proper care of themselves in the sizzling conditions over the next few days, as the mercury rises into the high 30s.
The weather bureau has revised it's initial prediction of 38C for Brisbane tomorrow, which would have been the city's hottest December day since 2001, when the mercury nudged 40C on Christmas Eve.
However, the bureau now forecasts a maximum of 36C, which is still 7C above average.
Temperatures are then predicted to settle around 34C across the weekend and into next week, with the top temperatures only dropping to 33C by next Friday.
In preparation, Queensland Health have activated a safety plan usually reserved for cyclones and floods.
The Queensland Ambulance Service is also worried about the effects on vulnerable people, in particular the young and old, in urban areas.
QAS' director of clinical quality and patient safety Tony Hucker said those living in built-up areas were at particular risk during heatwaves.
"Once the ambient temperature rises, particularly in built-up areas, that's where the heat gets contained," Mr Hucker said.
"And then you take the breeze away, that's when we start to see the high risk."
Mr Hucker called on the public to help reduce the service's workload by taking care of themselves.
"Watch your hydration, keep your temperature down, and try to avoid the hottest part of the day," he said.
Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick said they had extra crews on standby.
"We've done a lot of planning to ensure we have the staff there, but if we all work together, we can beat the heat this summer."
With AAP
