A major clean-up effort is underway in south-east Queensland after a "tornado-like" supercell ripped through the region yesterday afternoon.

It comes as a cold front sweeps through the nation's west, bringing relief from the stifling humidity being felt in most states and territories.

The cold air is expected to hit Canberra and Sydney today as it continues its surge north.

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More than 100,000 lightning strikes were recorded in south east Queensland as an intense storm cell barrelled through, dropping 60mm of Rain in 30 minutes in some parts, and bringing destructive winds.

In Brisbane and Logan 2500 homes are still without power. At the peak of the cell, around 30,000 homes were without power.

Queensland reporter Mia Glover described the conditions as "tornado-like".

"It was so scary for residents in Logan, these wild storms in particular that tornado- like cell that ripped through the area," she said.

"All the residents in the Logan area have gone without power all night.

"We are in Lennox Court which is a street heavily hit. So many trees down here. I am looking at homes that have had their roofs ripped off. Also a local school nearby. That has had trees ripped down as well."

The storm came as Queensland is in the grips of an oppressive heatwave with high humidity.

Energex said it is trying to get as much power back to residents as possible but it is concerned further storms forecast could hamper progress.

High humidity and heatwaves conditions are expected to put added pressure on the power grid, with Glover explaining more outages could happen.

The cold front is coming

Meanwhile residents in Canberra, Sydney, are Queensland are waiting for a cold front to hit and bring an end to the hot and humid conditions that have cloaked states for days.

The relief was palpable in Melbourne as the system moved through Victoria yesterday.

Weatherzone said Melbourne was more than five degrees cooler at midday than midnight, after it moved through.

Today maximum temperatures in Sydney and Canberra will tumble by as much as eight degrees from Tuesday's respective maximums of 31.9°C and 29.4°C.

Queensland will have to wait another night for the cold front, which is predicted to push all the way into Cairns.

Heavy rain transforms outback

And in the state's north heavy rain has continued to fall, the work of a slow-moving monsoon trough.

Rivers have formed in Uluru and Alice Springs, forcing the closure of several walking tracks.

Parts of the Kimberley in Western Australia has also been lashed with the heaviest rainfall in 120 years.

The multi-day deluge leaving towns, roads, and railways underwater.

Weatherzone warned the rain will continue, urging businesses and residents across northern WA to prepare.

"Expect heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and damaging winds to continue as the monsoon trough and a low-pressure system deepen in the region," it wrote.
"Broome Airport has recorded 326mm of rain since 9am Monday morning, with 48-hour totals reaching a 120-year high of 563mm.

"In just two days, Broome airport received more rain than during the whole of 2021."

Here's what the weather is doing around the nation's capitals today.

Brisbane

Brisbane has another hot, humid and wet day in store, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) saying there's a high chance of late showers.

Another thunderstorm is likely in the afternoon and evening, with possible heavy falls.

The mercury will reach 34C.

Sydney

A cold change is being felt in Sydney with temperatures reaching just 24C degrees today. It will be cloudy with a high chance of showers.

Canberra

The nation's capital is also feeling the relief of the cold air mass, with a maximum of just 21C forecast.

It will be cloudy with a medium chance of a shower or two. This will become less likely during the afternoon.

Melbourne

After a low of 14C, the temperature will climb to 20C in Melbourne and there's a slight chance of a shower.

Hobart

Temperatures will hit a low of 10C in the Tasmanian capital today before they climb to a maximum of 19C.

It will be partly cloudy, with a high chance of showers, most likely late this afternoon and evening.

Adelaide

In Adelaide temperatures will range between a low of 14C and 22C.

It will be cloudy and winds will tend to be south to southeasterly at 25 to 35 km/h.

Darwin

A cloudy, wet and humid day is in store for Darwin, which will reach 31C.

The BoM has forecast a high chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe with damaging winds.

Winds will tend northwesterly at 20 to 30 km/h.

Perth

Perth will experience a low of 17C before temperatures climb to a hot 34C. It will be a clear, sunny day with winds tending easterly at 25 to 35 km/h.

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