Australia Weather News

Queenslanders can look forward to fine weather on Monday as the school holidays begin. 

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts warm and sunny conditions across the state after weeks of heavy rainfall. 

Senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said no significant falls were forecast, except for a few showers in the Far North. 

"For parts of the central and south-east, we'll see dry conditions for the first part of this week," he said. 

"In fact, quite warm in the south-east tomorrow with a dry burst of westerlies. 

"It's been a while since we've had that.

"Then we'll see the south-easterlies return up on the coast and bring more showers for that Tuesday and latter parts of the week." 

Daytime maximum temperatures were forecast to be 30 degrees in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton, 29 degrees in Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine coasts, and 33 degrees in Mount Isa. 

Mr Hanniffy said major flood levels in the outback had peaked and the water was gradually moving into north-western NSW.

"Those rivers are slowly subsiding, but they're going to remain above the major flood level for several days yet," he said. 

"A slow easing trend, but it's going to be a protracted flood event despite the fact that there's no rainfall on the forecast the next several days." 

Major flood warnings remained for the Cape, Warrego, Paroo, Bulloo, Thomson, Barcoo, Diamantina, Georgina and Flinders rivers. 

The far north, outback town of Normanton was the wettest spot in Queensland over the past 24 hours, with 70mm falling since 9am Sunday.

Some showers were predicted for Far North Queensland, particularly about Cooktown, Innisfail and Thursday Island.

The finer conditions will be welcomed by holiday-makers and tourism operators. 

Students at Queensland and Victorian schools are now on a two-week break, while NSW holidays begin next weekend. 

Townsville record

The bureau said Townsville had broken its annual rainfall record — in April.

Since the start of this year, the region has copped 2,420 millimetres.

The previous record was set in 2000, with records dating back to 1940.

Mr Hanniffy said it was a "pretty significant total".

"The Townsville area really has copped a drenching so far this year," he said.

"That just gives you an idea of how wet it's been over the last several weeks."