WEEKEND FORECAST: Stormy Saturday on the way

Up to 40mm of rain is forecast to lash the Coast on Saturday as the threat of severe thunderstorms builds.

INCOMING: Severe thunderstorms loom likely for the Sunshine Coast at least until midnight Saturday. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

UP TO 40mm of rain is forecast to lash the Coast on Saturday as the threat of severe thunderstorms builds.

A trough moving across the region will deliver increased storm activity and showers.

Widespread falls of 10-20mm have been predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology but those rainfall totals could jump up to 40mm or more in areas where the heaviest weather systems hit.

Hinterland areas are expected to cop the brunt of the storm cells on Saturday, before they make their way across the coast and out to sea.

Bureau senior forecaster Gabriel Branescu said temperatures would remain in the high 20s tomorrow, but a southerly change forecast to sweep through late in the afternoon would fuel storm activity.

The Bureau's thunderstorm outlook map showed severe storms were likely across much of the Sunshine Coast up until at least midnight Saturday.

Mr Branescu said the storms would subside on Sunday but showers would still be around.

The severe weather systems would continue to be active, but much further inland on Sunday.

Temperatures were set to drop down to a top of 24C on Sunday, before climbing gradually on Monday and throughout the week.

Rainfall of less than 10mm was expected Sunday.

Winds of 20-25 knots were forecast this weekend and the clear weather would only last a few days early next week before a second trough system pushed through.