It has been the wettest November on record for parts of Queensland, but the weather bureau forecasts rain will ease after heavy falls caused flash flooding on the first weekend of summer.

Streets were inundated and cars swept away from Brisbane to the Gold Coast at the weekend as everywhere north of Cairns sweltered under a heatwave warning.

A torrent of rain fell within an hour, turning roads into rivers, submerging cars and trapping drivers who tried to cross floodwaters during sudden storms.

Parts of Brisbane have been submerged by flash flooding, with more storms predicted for south-east Queensland.