Australia Weather News

Showers and above-average temperatures are expected across much of Queensland today, with unsettled conditions set to continue into the weekend.

However, the state's driest regions, including the Maranoa down to the Granite Belt, are likely to miss out, as rainfall forecast to the east and west is expected to bypass those areas.

Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson Morgan Pumpa said a trough in Channel Country would drive wet weather across western Queensland, while onshore winds would bring showers to the east coast.

"What this system will bring to the south-west, around the Channel Country, is the chance of storms," she said.

Cloudy with chance of rainfall

In the state's south-east — including Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine coasts — mostly overcast conditions are forecast for the next few days, with patchy coastal showers.

"Totals are likely to stay below 5 millimetres today and tomorrow," Ms Pumpa said.

"We could see between 1 and 10mm on Sunday, but it's really Monday and Tuesday when higher falls are expected across the south-east."

She said weekend showers would be inconsistent.

"It's going to be fairly hit-and-miss, so it's worth having a raincoat or umbrella handy, but you probably won't need the gumboots," she said.

Cloud cover is also expected to keep temperatures above average, particularly inland, before cooler conditions return early next week.

"Most of our inland parts [are] looking at above average temperatures," Ms Pumpa said.

"But once we start to see that cloud band coming in on the Sunday and into Monday, it will cool things down just a little bit."

Wind warnings for the far north

Residents along the Peninsula and Cooktown coasts have also been urged to monitor conditions, with strong wind warnings in place.

"There is a strong wind warning for both the Peninsula Coast and Cooktown Coast today," she said.

"Anyone planning coastal activities over the weekend should make sure they check the latest conditions."

The rest of eastern North Queensland can expect showers they have seen all week to continue.

"It's going to be pretty focused in some spots … it's just due to a bit of an increase in regard to that onshore air flow," Ms Pumpa said.

Possible showers for Magic Round

Mackay resident Abbey-Rose Heaton is among thousands of rugby league fans who have travelled to Brisbane for the NRL's Magic Round.

She said the weather would not dampen her plans.

"The only challenge is getting to and from the hotel without an umbrella," she said.

"But we've got raincoats and ponchos we have brought."

Ms Heaton said the cooler temperatures in Brisbane were a shock compared to the tropical north.

"We got off the plane, and I immediately needed a jumper," she said.

Despite the forecast, she said the atmosphere of live footy made the trip worthwhile.

"I think this is our fourth, maybe fifth year in a row coming down," she said.

"It's so good to go and just be there live in person."