Brisbane and southeast Queensland to be lashed by thunderstorms this week

Wet and steamy conditions are set to return to this part of the country this week, with the hot weather to extend into the weekend.

Southeast Queensland is in for more wet weather this week, with up to 40mm expected in some parts as humid conditions return to the region.

Thunderstorms could lash the area as early as Monday afternoon.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster James Thompson said Ipswich and Gympie and those places further west would be in the firing line.

“Tomorrow and Wednesday the chance of a storm making it all the way to the coast is a bit more likely,” he said.

“Wednesday there’s a decent chance that we’ll have more scattered rainfall, with 20 to 40mm in some areas.”

Mr Thompson said the wet weather was being caused by a trough and increasing humidity.

“Between Tuesday and Friday most people in the southeast are going to see a storm at some stage,” he said.

Queenslanders hoping for more of a reprieve from the hot conditions experienced in recent weeks are also set to be disappointed, with the mercury set to rise again.

Brisbane is expected to reach a top of 32C on Wednesday, with a maximum of 33 predicted for Sunday.

Mr Thompson said the temperatures were marginally warmer than the March average but on par with recent years.

Thunderstorm activity is also expected across other parts of Queensland, with outback areas like Charleville and Cunnamulla likely to be hit in the coming days.