THE Far North is set to swelter today as the ultra-hot temperatures plaguing southern states make their way north. 

Georgetown could hit 40C while the fire danger remains high on the Tableland and forecasters are predicting a top of 36Cin Mareeba, where dry conditions have had fire crews on high alert for the past few days.

Cairns is expected to reach 34C, with a strong breeze expected to keep temperatures cooler than the Tableland, but North Queensland Surf Life Saving Queensland branch president Col Sparkes urged beachgoers to remain diligent.

"Wear sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeved shirt in the sun and drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated," he said.

Cairns duty forecaster Alicia Duncanson said that while some of the jump in the mercury could be attributed to the southern heatwave, a hot wind from Cape York was doing most of the damage.

"Any time you get north-westerlies you tend to get high temperatures," Ms Duncanson said.

She said there was a low pressure system sitting between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands which they were keeping an eye on, although that was unlikely to affect the Queensland coastline.

However, there was a chance of another low forming off either Cape York or the Gulf by the end of the weekend.

"The monsoon should be more active in the later half of this month, probably from the 20th onwards," she said.

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