Christmas cracker forecast: Sizzling weekend to start break

The mercury is set to soar over the next few days in a sizzling weekend build-up to Christmas.

BEAT THE HEAT: Jordan Bishop and Montana Western take a leap into the Maroochy River at Cotton Tree to escape the hot weather. Picture: Warren Lynam

THE MERCURY is set to soar over the next few days in a sizzling weekend build-up to Christmas.

Temperatures across the Coast have been forecast to get near 40C on Friday and stay well into the 30s over the weekend.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jess Gardner said a trough approaching from the west would deliver a burst of northerly and north-westerly winds, sending the temperature sky-rocketing.

Nambour was tipped to reach a top of 37C on Friday, while Maroochydore was expected to reach 36C.

On Saturday temperatures were set to remain around the 32C-33C mark.

The troughs would bring instability with them and there was a chance of severe thunderstorms sweeping across the region on Saturday.

A southerly change making its way from New South Wales was due to pass through the Coast on Sunday, delivering a few showers and dropping temperatures.

The cooler change should make for a near-perfect Christmas period, with a Christmas Day maximum of about 26C expected and the chance of only very isolated showers.

Calm winds were expected to greet beachgoers on Christmas Day, and the clear weather was due to stick around Boxing Day with temperatures in the mid-20s expected.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Sunshine Coast regional manager Aaron Purchase said high tides over the weekend would create pretty turbulent surf.

"Always keep an eye on your kids,” he urged.

He expected Coast beaches to be packed this weekend and if Christmas Day was clear, plenty of people on the sand early.