By ALENA HIGGINS
THE region sweltered through its hottest October day on record on Monday, with temperatures soaring more than 12 to 14 degree above average.
Searing heat smashed long-standing records in all corners of the Southern Downs, Maranoa and across the NSW border into the Northern Tablelands.
Warwick reached a maximum of 38 degrees, toppling a record that stood since 1965, while the mercury at Stanthorpe peaked at 35.5 degrees, the hottest October day on the Granite Belt since 1938.
Temperatures crept closer to 40 degrees further west, with Goondiwindi recording 41.3 degrees, the hottest October day since 1891 and Texas 39.8, breaking a record that stood since 1969.
Those south of the border were not spared either, with Tenterfield reaching its highest October temperature, 33.9, since temperature recording began in 1965. The previous highest maximum recorded at the border town was 33.5 on 19 October 2002.
Residents can expect the hot weather to continue for the remainder of the week, with temperatures five to eight degrees above average forecast until Sunday ahead of a cooler change on Monday.
Possible showers and storms have been forecast, but significant rain is unlikely.
