Australia is dealing with floods and extreme heat that could be dangerous.

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No end is in sight for biblical rain that has pounded Australia’s northern tip, with major flooding predicted as a consequence.

North Queensland has been hit by torrential rain for days causing road closures and multiple rescues, with tropical lows looming off the coast.

Overnight deluges have brought widespread falls of 150mm to 250mm since 9am Friday, with some parts of Townsville receiving a whopping 350mm in that period.

The low pressure system off Cairns is unlikely to develop into a cyclone but has brought a deluge to the north tropical coast, with seven-day rainfall totals of up to 700mm in some areas.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned a 550km stretch of the east coast between Bowen and Cairns should expect the weather to continue in the coming days.

A very wet weekend is forecast for large parts of Australia’s north, including Townsville. Source: AAP / Scott Radford-Chisholm

“Not only (Saturday), but also (Sunday) could see thunderstorms as well in those areas that could bring isolated, very heavy falls of up to 50mm to 100mm in an hour,” senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.

“That could produce dangerous and life-threatening flash-flooding.”

Various flood warnings are in place across the area, as a diminished cyclone threat brings plenty of rain with it.

Another low in the Gulf of Carpentaria was set to weaken but a system in the Coral Sea near Vanuatu could develop into a cyclone from Sunday.

Areas such as Townsville are already drenched with a string of social media posts claiming to have spotted swimming in floodwaters.

The Bruce Highway — Queensland’s major arterial road — was closed on Friday north of Bowen after severe flash flooding.

“We’ve had a hell of a lot of rain the last 24 hours. It seems to be sort of in different areas at different times,” Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins told AAP.

“It’s not an unexpected issue but one that still causes some headaches for anyone on the highway.”

Emergency services reinforcements have been sent north in preparation for the deluge.

“We may in fact see intense rainfall across parts of this coastline over the next few days particularly between Innisfail and Ayr,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Miriam Bradbury said.

“It could lead to life-threatening flash flooding. Now that’s more than just water moving over roads and footpaths possibly coming into your home.”

On Friday evening an emergency flood alert was issued for Townsville by the local disaster management group, saying localised flooding was happening and people should be prepared to leave as conditions could change quickly.

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Victoria set for heatwave

The Country Fire Authority is urging those in high-risk bushfire areas to finalise their fire survival plans as a hot spell is forecast into next week.

The mercury is set to jump into the high 30Cs and low 40Cs from Saturday across Victoria with the chance of dry thunderstorms and lightning increasing the risk of fires in the western and central districts.

“With multiple significant fires already burning in the Grampians and Little Desert, this stretch of hot and dry weather could make conditions even more challenging for firefighters,” CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said.

“We need all Victorians, particularly those in high-risk areas, to act now. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”

Firefighters were trying to contain the blazes and prevent damage to the Grampians National Park that is home to about 200 Indigenous rock art sites.

Crews have been scrambling to take advantage of benign weather to backburn and help protect communities and the environment.

Three bushfires continue to burn in the Grampians while the bushfire threat in the Little Desert National Park has reduced with crews on track to contain it ahead of the weekend.

People looking to cool off during the hot spell have been reminded to prioritise water safety as temperatures soar, with Life Saving Victoria urging people to swim with friends between red and yellow flags, keep an eye on children around the water and