Storms, showers bound for Queensland this afternoon

QUEENSLANDERS can expect steamy weather on Monday before a change brings showers and cooler days for the first week back at work.

. Picture: Bev Lacey

QUEENSLANDERS can expect steamy weather on Monday before a change brings showers and cooler days for the first week back at work.

The mercury soared across the state's southeast on Sunday, with Brisbane recording a maximum of 34.7C at 10.50am.

Nambour on the Sunshine Coast reached 34.4C, Toowoomba 35C and Gold Coast a milder 30C.

Beaches along the Gold and Sunshine coasts were packed as thousands of families looked for some relief from the swelter.

Lifesavers were kept busy because of high numbers of visitors combined with choppy surf conditions. This followed a busy New Year's Eve when there were 17 rescues.

Weather bureau forecaster Michael Paech said showers and a possible storm late Monday afternoon could ease the sultry conditions and above average temperatures currently being experienced around the southeast.

"We are expecting the chance of some good showers and storms activity around the southeast corner of the state," Mr Paech said.

"Some of those thunderstorms could produce some heavy falls as well.

"Following that, our temperatures should drop quite significantly to the mid to high 20s for Tuesday and beyond."

Brisbane is forecast to hit a top of 31C today, while temperatures along the coast are expected to be slightly cooler.

The temperature in Ipswich is expected to reach 33C.

The highest recorded January temperature in Brisbane city was 43.2C in 1940.