The Bureau of Meteorology said severe storms were likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to 'dangerous and life-threatening' flooding in Ayr, Alva Beach and Clare over the next several hours.

North Queensland communities are bracing for more torrential rain, while the state’s southwest is baking in another summer heatwave.

Water inundated backyards and lapped at doorsteps in Ayr, just south of Townsville, after an extraordinary deluge dumped 458mm of rain in just 24 hours on Monday.

Further rain in the region on Tuesday quickly caused floodwaters to cut the Bruce Highway between Ayr and Home Hill, on the southern side of the Burdekin River.

Roads in Ayr itself are also closed with only emergency vehicles allowed through.

Rita Island, just south of Ayr, had even more rain, with more than 615mm falling since Monday morning, and 529mm in 24 hours to 9am Monday.

The deluge broke records in the Burdekin, with the previous highest totals being 395mm in Home Hill back in March 1988, 254mm in Ayr DPI station also recorded in March 1988 and 478mm in February 1947 at Burdekin Shire Council weather station.

The rain is being driven by a slow-moving tropical low pressure system sitting over the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and also bringing wild weather to the region.

Winds gusting up to 90km/h and more torrential rain are expected on Tuesday night and into Wednesday, with flash flooding possible at a number of communities in the state’s northwest.

There has also been significant rain at Winton, in the state’s parched central west, with locals now praying for more rain that will make a real difference to graziers.

Follow-up rain, adding to the 120mm that’s fallen since Monday morning, will ensure growth in paddocks that have been dry for far too long.

“If we can get some more in another month or so, that will just really set people up for the next six months,” Winton mayor Gavin Baskett said on Tuesday.

Localised rain in Townsville saw State Emergency Service crews called in to prevent flood damage, however Mayor Jenny Hill said that, as yet, there are no concerns the low pressure system will cause a repeat of the devastating floods of February last year, which caused more than $1 billion damage.

Flood warnings of various levels have been issued for rivers throughout the state’s interior.

While the wet season sets in full swing in the state’s north, the south is sweltering.

Birdsville’s maximum temperature won’t drop below 37C for almost a week, while Thargomindah will sit above 40 until Sunday.

Towns in the Darling Downs will hover around the mid- to high-30s until the weekend, when a cooler change will push through.