URGENT UPDATE: South-East Queensland is bracing for severe thunderstorms and potential hail this afternoon, following a tumultuous night of storms that left over 3,200 properties without power in Brisbane. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a warning at 1:20 PM today, indicating that dangerous thunderstorms are forming west of Brisbane and moving eastward.
The storms that hit Brisbane around 6 PM on Friday dumped nearly 22 millimeters of rain within just two hours, causing widespread disruptions. Areas expected to be affected by the incoming severe weather include Esk, southern Lake Wivenhoe, and regions west of Warwick by 1:50 PM, with Allora and the northwestern areas of Warwick facing potential impact by 2:20 PM.
BOM Senior Meteorologist Angus Hines warned that the conditions are particularly volatile between the Sunshine Coast and Moree in New South Wales. “This is where severe thunderstorms are most likely to occur today,” Hines stated. He added that significant weather impacts could include hailstones reaching up to 5 centimeters in diameter and destructive winds exceeding 120 kilometers per hour.
The storm zone stretches from western Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast, further inland across Toowoomba, and into the Darling Downs, extending across the southern border ranges into the northwestern slopes of New South Wales. This expansive area is on high alert as residents prepare for possible severe weather conditions.
Another BOM Senior Meteorologist, Miriam Bradbury, noted that while the storms are expected to ease after the weekend, residents should remain vigilant. “We will start to see the storms clearing the east pretty quickly,” she said. Bradbury confirmed that showers and storms are likely to persist in parts of southern Queensland and the New South Wales coastal fringe on Monday but will trend towards clearer conditions by Tuesday.
Authorities urge Queenslanders to be prepared for a potentially severe disaster season. As these storms continue to develop, residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
As the situation unfolds, local communities and emergency services are on high alert, ready to respond to any impact from this ongoing weather event. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
