Remote parts of central Australia have been rattled by cyclonic wind gusts that tore roofs from buildings and cut power, as a “relentless” stormy weather system heads east.

The weather bureau issued a warning for severe thunderstorms for north-eastern NSW on Tuesday, warning of “heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and large hail”.

Showers and storms were also forecast for south-eastern Queensland, after wild weather on the border with NSW at the weekend brought heavy rain and power outages.

Thunderstorms possible across a large parts of #Qld again today. Severe storms are possible in the SE with a risk of damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall.

Keep up to date with warnings: https://t.co/FBmpsInT9o pic.twitter.com/QwjFRnbkCs

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) November 12, 2024

It comes as much of Queensland is under a heatwave warning, with temperatures rising into the 40s in a record-breaking stretch. There are similar warnings for Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

“Early in the week, showers and thunderstorms will target central, eastern, southern and south-eastern Australia on Monday and Tuesday. Severe thunderstorms are likely in parts of NSW and Queensland on both days and are also possible in other states,” forecaster Weatherzone said.

It said storms would focus on a broad arc across the country’s north and east through the middle of the week.

“Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra will all be at risk of severe thunderstorm activity on Wednesday,” it said.

The broad storm warnings come after the Queensland town of Julia Creek, about three hours east of Mount Isa, reported a wind gust of 146km/h on Monday afternoon during storms that dumped 31.8 millimetres of rain within a couple of hours.

It ripped the roof from one house, partially damaged another and left debris scattered across streets.

“A lot of our houses have had damage to their awnings, gutterings, fencing damage,” McKinlay Mayor Janene Fegan told the ABC.

She said the freak storm had also felled trees and damaged the local hospital and police station. It has also ignited fires on surrounding cattle properties.

Local Tash Ahchay described the storm as “hectic”.

“Attention Julia Creek … If anyone finds my green wheelie bin give me a yell. It’s probably out near the airport with this wind.. crazy weather! Bring on the wet season,” she wrote on a video post on Facebook.

“146km/h winds reported!! Hectic!!”

There was an even stronger wind gust at Woomera in South Australia on Monday – 154km/h, the strongest in at least 22 years. It was accompanied by more than 24 millimetres of rain in a day at the local RAAF base, where annual average rainfall is just 182.3 millimetres.

Thunderstorm FORECAST for Tues 12 Nov: Storms possible statewide, more likely about the NE where SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS may develop, particularly about the Northern Tablelands. Heavy rain, damaging wind gusts & large hail are possible. Warnings if required: https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL pic.twitter.com/ExU7wGnVXb

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) November 12, 2024

Weatherzone said the wild storms would hit more Australians for at least another week.

“Showers and thunderstorms will continue then over Australia’s east and north on Thursday and Friday, while also extending towards the south of WA due to the passage of a cold front,” it said.

“This frontal system, combined with deepening low-pressure troughs over Australia, will lead to further widespread thunderstorm activity over Australia from this weekend into early next week.”

Towns under threat

Also in Queensland, another town faces an anxious wait as firefighters combat a looming blaze that has burned for almost a week, leaving a 70-kilometre trail of damage.

More hot weather and blustery conditions ensured the remote Queensland community of Forsayth was on high alert as crews resumed their battle with the fire on Tuesday.

The blaze destroyed a house after it first began near Einasleigh six days ago and has since burned more than 56,000 hectares, damaging railway lines and bridges.

The Gulf Country town of Forsayth was not pinning its hopes on forecast showers reducing the fire risk, with strong north-easterly winds and another day of 40-plus temperatures to again test fatigued crews.

A “prepare to leave” warning for Forsayth, north-west of Townsville, was downgraded to a “stay informed” alert on Tuesday.

However, local mayor Barry Hughes said the community of about 100 people was ready for anything as it sweated on the fire’s progress.

“Everybody is prepared. I won’t say they are in good spirits,” the Etheridge Shire Mayor said.

“They all know they have a responsibility to stay safe.”

Back-up arrived on Tuesday from around the region to relieve exhausted crews who have been battling the blaze on the ground and in the air.

Temperatures were set to hit 41 degrees at Forsayth, extending a run of hot weather in the region.

Queensland’s north-west is predicted to break a November record of 10 straight days above 40 degrees, last recorded in 2015.

Rainfall totals are expected to be low, especially inland, which will remain hot with continued heatwaves, the BoM said.