Heavy rain is expected to continue in Queensland's far north, bringing warnings of severe flooding

Major warnings have been issued for rivers around Townsville, with various watches in place south of Cairns to Mackay.

Townsville is expecting to bear the brunt of heavy rain, with one suburb seeing around 350 millimetres.

Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe, says major warnings are in place for much the Herbert River northwest of Townsville.

He says the town of Halifax is already above the major level -- and 40 centimetres below the record levels there.