A severe weather warning has been issued for the Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast regions.
Weather bureau senior forecaster Rick Threlfall says the weather system has dumped the heaviest falls on the Sunshine Coast on Monday.
"Particularly in the Sunshine Coast hinterland where some places have seen up to 70 millimetres since 9am [Monday] morning.
He says the heavy rainfall will persist for the next 12-24 hours as the weather system moves south.
"I think we'll start to see the rainfall pick up around Brisbane as we go through the rest of [Monday] and overnight, it will also start to pick up on the Gold Coast."
More than 200 millimetres of rain has been recorded at Doonan and Coolum on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, with close to 100 millimetres falling on Hamilton Island since Sunday morning.
Mr Threlfall says the south-east should expect to see winds pick up overnight and into Tuesday as gale force winds develop over Moreton Bay.
"We'll start to see the winds pick up as the low starts to develop off the south-east coast," he says, which will cause dangerous surf conditions across the south-east coast.
Winds in excess of 25 knots are forecast for Moreton Bay as seas increase to 1.7 metres.
Forecaster Michelle Berry told ABC Radio on Monday morning that the wet weather is being caused by a deep trough that is occurring off the central coast of Queensland, combined with a low pressure system that is expected to form on the trough on Monday.
"This low we're expecting to form hasn't yet developed; we have a deep trough that is occurring off the central coast of Queensland and we are expecting a low to form on the trough today.
"Depending on where that low forms that will have a great deal of impact on how much rainfall we'll see as it traverses south," she says, "the closer it forms to the coast the heavier rainfall we're expecting."
Mr Threlfall says they are not forecasting the same amount of rain that ex-tropical cyclone Oswald dropped on Queensland communities in January.
"The rainfall should ease off as we head into the latter part of Tuesday. We shouldn't see the falls we saw during ex-tropical cyclone Oswald," he says.
"It is going to be focused on the coastal strip and the adjacent hinterland. As you go into Toowoomba or Ipswich really, you're not going to see heavy rainfall there."
Beach conditions
Beaches along the Gold Coast remained open on Monday, but would be reviewed on Tuesday morning according to Chief Lifeguard Warren Young.
Mr Young says conditions are being monitored and beach goers should listen for updates as the weather system draws south.
"Swell is starting to pick up, but most of the beaches are still open.
"People are doing the right thing and staying within their own depths and in between the flags.
"We're going to monitor it over the next few days. If it looks like that low is coming closer, then the swell will increase for sure," Mr Young says.
Beaches along the Cooloola and Sunshine Coast experienced some messy conditions due to strong south easterly winds on Monday according to lifeguard supervisor Reece Drury.
"With the strong south easterly winds and surf sitting at 2-3 foot, the open beaches are not the place to be.
Mr Drury says if beaches are closed red flags will be raised.
"We really encourage people to come and speak to the lifeguards and know your limitations and if you're not sure go and speak to the life guards to know what you should be up to."
The Bureau have also issued a strong wind warning as an easterly swell of two and a half metres is expected to develop in northern Moreton Bay, breaking dangerously close inshore on Tuesday.
Flood Warning for Coastal Rivers
A flood warning is current for coastal rivers and adjacent inland catchments from St Lawrence to the NSW border as widespread rain continues to fall across the catchment areas.
Fast river and creek rises are likely in the areas of heaviest rainfall, which may include the Calliope, Boyne, Baffle, Kolan, Burrum-Cherwell, Mary, Noosa, Maroochy, Mooloolah, Stanley and Gold Coast catchments.
The Bureau will issue seperate warnings if necessary.
Preparing your home
Emergency Management Queensland Assistant Director-General Bruce Grady says residents should prepare their properties ahead of heavy rainfall.
"Check your house, in particular the roof, is in good condition, trim branches clear of the house, clean gutters, clear your property of debris and secure loose outdoor items," Mr Grady says.
"Also ensure your emergency kit is well-stocked, with essential items, and is kept close by.
"If you are located in an area which could potentially be impacted by localised flooding, move vehicles, outdoor equipment, indoor items, garbage, chemicals and poisons to higher locations. Also be alert to the dangers associated with falling trees as a result of the anticipated high wind gusts."
If you need the SES call 132 500
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