HOT weather has hit Queensland right on cue for the start of summer, creeping close to the record 41.2C recorded on December 7, 1981.
It's all down to hot northwest winds and will get worse on Tuesday, with a blistering 38C expected in Ipswich and Brisbane's western suburbs and 36C in the city.
Weather Channel forecaster Dick Whitaker said the northerly wind was pushing south a large pool of hot air that had accumulated over central Australia.
"Because of fading La Nina conditions, we have a lot less cloud cover and bright sunlight," Mr Whitaker said. "This heats up the surface and there's only been light winds which haven't been sufficient to dissipate the heat. In fact, its become more extensive.
"It's caused all-time record temperatures across Victoria for November and it's also been pretty hot in NSW and southwest Queensland too."
Mr Whitaker said the warmth had come as a jolt to many people who had enjoyed milder conditions over the past two summers due to La Nina events.
"Although the southeast might get a little bit above average rain for summer, Queensland as a whole will face drier conditions," he said. "It'll be considerably drier than the past two summers."
Mr Whittaker said drier conditions might soon see Queensland need the water in its bulging dams.
"Dam levels are excellent in most parts of Queensland, yet farmers are looking for rain because it's been so dry for the past five months," he said. "They need rain to boost soil moisture."
Mr Whitaker said the main things Queenslanders needed to watch for weather-wise this year were severe thunderstorms and cyclones.
"They are the main weather hazards you'll expect to see," he said. "We're not expecting to see widespread flooding.
"You cannot predict where and when cyclones will strike."
Mr Whitaker said the monsoon trough was sinking lower into Australia and an indication of its arrival was that storms were erupting frequently around Darwin.
A Weather Bureau forecaster for 30 years, Mr Whitaker said the best way to read weather conditions was to first look at the big picture and then go to finer detail.