'Awkward return to school and work' as showers bring end to long weekend - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Showers are expected to roll into coastal areas on Tuesday. (ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale )

Rain and possible isolated severe storms are forecast from Tuesday in Queensland's south-east.

Weather in northern coastal areas should remain mostly fine, with temperatures reaching the high 20s.

Maximum temperatures of up to 38C are forecast for the west and isolated midweek storms remain possible.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects rain and possible isolated severe thunderstorms to welcome in the new school term on Tuesday.

Senior BOM meteorologist Shane Kennedy said the long weekend was the "last of the really calm days" for south-east Queensland.

He said showers and possible thunderstorms would slowly extend from southern Queensland across the state from Monday.

"It'll be pretty isolated to start," Mr Kennedy said.

"Mostly it'll be in the southern interior and might start to see a few thunderstorms just in the western suburbs of Brisbane later in the day."

He said it was unlikely the storms would reach coastal areas on Monday.

"But certainly expect those showers and storms to really start to pick up on Tuesday," Mr Kennedy said.

"It'll be a bit of an awkward return to school and work."

The Milky Way seen from Lotus Creek, Central Queensland, on Saturday night. (Supplied: Janice Terrill)

He said there may also be a "few isolated severe thunderstorms" in the south-east on Tuesday and Wednesday and that drier conditions were expected by Friday.

Rockhampton is set to reach a high of 33 degrees on Wednesday before showers roll in during the afternoon or evening.

Mostly fine conditions are expected along the northern coast, with maximum temperatures in the late 20s.

Isolated storms remain possible mid-week for western Queensland, including Longreach and Mount Isa, where temperatures will remain hot with tops of up to 38 degrees Celsius forecast.