THE monsoon trough that wrought havoc as it was towed down through the Far North by ex-cyclone Charlotte is set to return later this week.

But a spokesman from the Cairns weather bureau says it is "highly unlikely" that Charlotte will reform and come back to the region as she was west of Georgetown and moving slowly toward the Northern Territory border last night.

Yesterday's bout of fine weather that brought almost no rain to the Far North after Monday's downpours came as a surprise to duty forecaster Bill O'Connor.

"It cleared up more quickly than anticipated in the Cairns region due to a drier than expected northwest flow," he said.

But south of Cardwell copped a hammering as the trough’s influence caused severe weather warnings to be issued by the bureau.

Mr O'Connor said some light showers were expected in the Far North today and that they would increase in intensity.

"During Thursday, a weaker monsoonal trough will creep back up through Cairns toward Cooktown bringing with it some heavier showers," Mr O’Connor said.

"As we get to the latter part of the week we will have scattered showers on the coast and ranges and isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoons."

However, beach goers will be disappointed as stinger nets taken out because of the rough seas and king tides in recent days will be lucky to be back in until at least the weekend.

Lifeguard supervisor Far North Region Jay Marth said Trinity Beach, where an observatory hut had to be taken away after its foundations were washed away in Monday’s wild weather would probably be the last to reopen.

"Trinity lost its net winch so it will be some time before the beach is open," he said.

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