Queensland Set for Short-Lived Break From Heat and Storms

Queenslanders can expect a brief spell of milder, sunnier weather as the first week of summer begins, offering some relief after an exceptionally wet and stormy November.

Large parts of the state recorded more than twice - and in some cases three times - their usual monthly rainfall, while widespread heatwave conditions persisted through the past week. But according to the Bureau of Meteorology, temperatures and humidity will ease slightly from today and continue cooling into Tuesday.

Bureau meteorologist Jonathan How said the south-east will enjoy a short-lived reprieve after days of heat and thunderstorms.

"We're expecting a slight drop in temperatures, settling into the mid-20s by mid-week," he said. "Conditions will gradually warm again heading into the weekend, with the Sunshine Coast likely to reach the high 20s to low 30s, and inland areas nudging into the low 30s."

Thunderstorm activity is also expected to ease, with storms today mostly confined to areas north of Rockhampton, and shifting further north of Bowen from Tuesday.

A heatwave currently affecting regions from Wide Bay to the Whitsundays and out toward the coalfields will begin to weaken from Tuesday. From mid-week, isolated storms will persist across far northern Queensland, with Cairns potentially experiencing heavier falls on Thursday.

Southern parts of the state are forecast to remain cooler and more settled for several days - but the relief will be brief.

"How warned that the heat will return quickly. "It is quite short-lived. Once we reach Thursday through the weekend, conditions will turn very hot again," he said.

Temperatures in the state's west highlight the sharp turnaround: Birdsville is expecting tops of 33°C today and 32°C tomorrow before soaring to 43°C on Friday and 45°C by Sunday.