Temperatures are set to plunge across southern Queensland this week, with Tuesday expected to be very gusty in the state's south-east.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says a frontal system is moving across south-eastern Australia, dragging a lot of cold air in its wake.
That system is expected to move across the southern interior of Queensland on Monday afternoon or evening, bringing a cold westerly change with it.
On Monday morning the BOM issued a severe weather warning for parts of of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and the south-east coast forecast districts.
"A strong cold front over far western Queensland will strengthen as it moves eastwards during today, reaching the south-east in the afternoon," BOM said.
"Damaging winds averaging 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are likely over far south-east Queensland this afternoon and evening."
Senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said Tuesday was forecast to be very gusty and the wind chill factor would make temperatures seem even cooler.
"Temperatures of 20 degrees on the south-east coast will probably feel like the low teens and temperatures in the Darling Downs, where we've got highs of around the 14 degrees mark, will feel more like 5 degrees during Tuesday.
There is also the potential for wind gusts of 60-80 kilometres per hour on Tuesday, which could create dangerous conditions in areas where the ground is still extremely wet from recent heavy rain.
"The risk of disruption from falling trees is likely to be elevated, just given the level of saturation in the soil.
"Many are still in full leaf and it's going to be quite easy for them to get pulled down in strong winds."
Frost late this year, locals say
The winds are set to ease on Wednesday, but the cool temperatures will remain, with parts of Queensland on track for their coldest minimums so far this year.
"For the south-east, once the winds ease, Thursday morning is likely to be the coolest morning," he said.
However, anyone hoping for a sprinkling of snow over the Sunshine State would be disappointed, with Victoria and New South Wales the more likely candidates.
"For Queensland, it looks like the air mass is very dry once that change moves through, so while it is going to be cold, it's too dry for snow," he said.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting higher minimum and maximum temperatures to return to southern Queensland from Friday and across the weekend.
