North West Queensland was once again blanketed by dust on Saturday, an prediction of the hot summer ahead according to weather forecasters.
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A cold front from South Australia pushed across Queensland with strong winds causing dust storms across the North West.
The dust storm caused minor visual disturbance to traffic in the region, unlike New South Wales which saw severe traffic accidents.
Sky News Weather released its annual long-range Severe Weather Outlook 2019/2020, and predicts a worsening drought, extreme temperatures, severe thunderstorms and heatwaves.
Sky News Weather's Chief Meteorologist Tom Saunders said a dry signal from the Indian Ocean combined with the increasing influence of global warming would almost certainly lead to a dry spring and start to summer with ongoing near record heat anomalies.
"This brings an increased risk of prolonged dry spells, dust storms, bushfires and heatwaves. It is possible parts of Australia will have their hottest severe weather season on record," Mr Saunders said.
"A relatively quiet cyclone season is likely however, thunderstorm activity should be particularly prevalent over eastern Australia.
"Relief from the record drought is more likely towards the end of the severe weather season as the northern monsoon becomes the dominant driver of the nation's weather."
Mount Isa's forecast for the rest of the week predicts a chance (20pc) of a shower on Tuesday September 24 reaching a top of 31.
Wednesday forecasts partly cloudy conditions reaching a top of 33 degrees. Thursday to be partly cloudy with a top of 34 degrees.
Friday reaching a top of 35 degrees and mostly sunny conditions and Saturday and Sunday reaching a top of 36.
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