Thursday is expected to see marginally severe thunderstorms near the New South Wales border, including the Gold Coast. However, it is from Friday to Sunday that conditions are likely to worsen, with unstable weather creating the perfect environment for more intense storms.
Saturday, in particular, could see thunderstorms stretch from Emerald in the north, across the Granite Belt, and down to the southeast coast. While these storms are initially more likely to affect inland areas, there is a possibility that they could reach coastal regions, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.
Saturday’s storms are expected to be particularly fierce, as the environment becomes more conducive to extreme weather. Meteorologists warn that high-end thunderstorms may bring a combination of large hail, damaging wind gusts, and torrential rainfall, all of which pose significant risks to both property and safety.
Thunderstorm Activity Eases in Central Queensland
While severe weather is set to intensify in the southeast, the situation in central Queensland has already started to ease. Thunderstorms that impacted parts of the region have weakened, although storm activity continues along the Queensland coast, particularly inland of Proserpine. However, the risk of further severe phenomena has subsided across the state, and the severe thunderstorm warning for central Queensland has now been cancelled.
Reports from the Bureau of Meteorology earlier in the day showed significant weather activity, including a 7 cm hailstorm in Rockhampton around 6:00 pm, and 4 cm hail reported in Peeramon at approximately 3:30 pm. Rowallan Park recorded 60.0 mm of rain in just 30 minutes, highlighting the intensity of the rainfall in some areas. Smaller hailstones, around 3 cm in diameter, were reported in Malanda at about 3:00 pm.
Despite the easing of the severe storm risks in central Queensland, residents are still urged to stay alert. Emergency services have provided safety advice for those in areas affected by flooding and storms. The key advice includes:
- Never drive, walk, play, or ride through floodwaters.
- Stay away from stormwater drains and fallen powerlines.
- Drive slowly and avoid driving through floodwaters. If roads are flooded or damaged, seek alternate routes.
With conditions likely to worsen in the coming days, the advice from authorities remains critical, especially for those in areas forecast to experience the worst of the storms.
Continued Vigilance as Storms Approach the Southeast
With southeast Queensland set to face another round of severe weather, residents are being reminded to stay up to date with the latest weather warnings. While the storms are expected to peak on Saturday, conditions from Thursday onward will continue to create potential for extreme weather events. Those living in areas at risk of flash flooding, strong winds, or large hail are advised to take precautions and monitor official weather updates closely.
