Australia Weather News

Storm-battered south-east Queensland is on alert again today, while other regions endure a blistering heatwave as instability grips the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting "very unstable conditions", particularly on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and Wide Bay.

The clean-up continues after yesterday's wild storm pummelled areas from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast, with giant hail, torrential rain and strong winds, causing mass power outages.

Storm warnings continue

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How said the severe storm risk was coupled with "very hot, very muggy conditions".

"It's a very unsettled day across the state, with very high humidity," Mr How said.

"There is a chance of thunderstorms pretty much for every district except for areas north of Cairns."

He said the south-east corner could see four consecutive days of severe thunderstorms.

"It's not unusual for this time of year, but they can still catch people out, cause significant impacts, and cause a lot of damage," Mr How said.

'Muggy and humid' conditions

Extreme heatwave conditions continue in several regions between central Queensland and Cape York Peninsula.

Queensland Health said the heat presented a health risk and it urged residents in affected areas to stay inside, drink water regularly, and look after vulnerable people and pets.

At Schoolies celebrations on the Gold Coast, the dreary weather has forced some school leavers to change their plans.

Bridget Tam, 17, said she and her friends spent most of Monday inside.

"It's been just like black throughout the day, and at one point the sea was really rough, so we couldn't go to the beach anymore," Ms Tam said.

"It hasn't really been all sunshine and rainbows as we expected when we came here."

However, it has not stopped them from having fun.

"We still partied our hearts out," she said.

Maximum temperatures have been between six and 10 degrees Celsius above average in southern Queensland and the north-east tropical coast.

"Overnight, temperatures are still looking to be about eight degrees above average over a number of days," Mr How said.

"The critical factor is although [yesterday] it was 34C, because it was so humid, the feels-like temperature was much higher, so it felt like 39C."

"We will gradually see temperatures easing back across the far west, but still very hot for the south-east, right up the east coast, and reaching extreme heatwave conditions for areas between Townsville and up towards Cooktown."

Keeping cool in the west

In the outback town of Longreach, more than 1,100 kilometres west of Brisbane, the mercury hit 44.8C on Monday, only one degree less than the November record for the hottest temperature at 45.8C.

The severe heat is forecast to move eastwards towards the coast, giving the outback a slight reprieve.

Despite being in one of the hottest parts of the state, Longreach locals have gathered in the centre of town to watch the annual fire trials.

In its 101st year, onlookers braved 40C night-time heat while firefighters raced down the main street, completing a series of challenges before the kids were invited to cool off under the firehose.

"We've had bigger nights … I think the heat might have knocked a few people and they stayed inside in their air conditioning," said Travis Browning, president of the Longreach Historical Fire Brigade Society.

"It's just part of living out west."