RESIDENTS in central Australia are being warned the searing heatwave isn't over, with temperatures to return into the 40s next week.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a cool change today, which should see the maximum temperature in Alice Springs dip to about 36C.

Today's forecast is expected to be only a short break from the heat that's seen 16-straight-days of plus-40C temperatures in the Alice.

However, the overdue arrival of the monsoon season in the Top End is finally expected to kick in, which should see heatwaves across the country start to subside.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the late onset of the monsoon season has allowed hot air to build up over northern Australia.

However, forecasters say there's relief in sight, with some cloud-cover and rain expected in northern Australia this weekend.