Australia Weather News

The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting rain and strong wind on Queensland's east coast on Mother's Day.

Parts of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast could receive the highest rainfall totals in the state this weekend and in the Torres Strait the monthly total is already well above average.

Senior meteorologist Steve Hadley said there was a high chance of showers throughout the Wet Tropics and the Whitsundays and Mackay areas.

"It looks like a showery and windy weekend for the east coast," he said.

"The last couple of days we've seen the heaviest falls around the state, mostly around those Torres Strait Islands."

Horn Island, north of Cape York recorded 60 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours to Friday morning bringing the total to 250mm this month.

The island's average May rainfall is 64mm.

The west is set to be mostly sunny on the weekend with isolated showers over the interior north of Winton and east of Dalby. 

Temperatures are forecast to be mostly average for the Mother's Day weekend.

Brisbane is expected to reach a maximum of 24 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 23C is forecast for the Gold Coast.

Cairns and Townsville are forecast to reach 28C and Mackay and Rockhampton 26C.

Isolated showers are expected next week.

"Nothing too heavy — I think the peak rainfall for the north tropical coast is expected this weekend and easing off early next week," Mr Hadley said.

"Likewise for the south-east coast, mainly."

Rough seas, strong winds

Strong wind warnings are in place from Saturday for areas including the Torres Strait, Capricornia Coast, Cairns and Townsville, Mackay, Hervey Bay, K'Gari, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

"Winds could be around 25 to 30 knots at times," Mr Hadley said.

"We have rough seas along the coast associated with those strong winds.

"It could be quite difficult for marine users out there."

Winds are likely to calm in the south-east from Sunday at K'Gari and on the Sunshine and Gold coasts.

Some of the world's best surfers have flocked to the south-east coast this week to compete in the Gold Coast Pro.

Mr Hadley said the competitors may not be in for ideal conditions on the weekend.

"The unfortunate thing about the seas at the moment is, because of all the wind, it's not a very clean wave," he said.

"You're looking for opportunities for the winds to go a bit further offshore, or a bit lighter."