Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Darling Downs and Granite Belt and parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:09 pm Thursday, 18 January 2024.

Severe thunderstorms across the south and southeast as well as over the tropical north.

Weather situation: A trough is moving over southern Queensland with a very moist tropical airmass in place. Severe thunderstorms have formed this afternoon and should continue to develop and spread further east throughout the day. Another trough is producing slow-moving severe storms across the wet tropics.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Southeast Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Dalby, Roma, Charleville, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi and Ipswich.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts. Locations which may be affected include Mareeba, Einasleigh, Atherton, Ravenshoe, Babinda and Mount Garnet.

Emergency services advise people to:
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.