Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 8:24 pm Saturday, 30 December 2023.

Severe thunderstorms continue across the central east in Queensland, with severe thunderstorms developing to the northwest of Roma.

Weather Situation: A moist and unstable airmass to the east of a trough will result in severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia districts. Locations which may be affected include Mackay, Marlborough, St Lawrence, Sarina and Byfield.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Maranoa and Warrego and Central Highlands and Coalfields districts.

GIANT HAIL, observed north of Chinchilla around 12:30 pm. Estimated hail size of 6 cm.

Large hail, observed east of Amby near Mitchell around 3:00 pm. Estimated hail size of 4-5 cm.

Large hail, observed at Tara around 10:00 am. Estimated hail size of 4-5 cm.

117 km/h wind gust recorded at Blackwater at 5:54 pm.

93 km/h wind gust recorded at Gympie at 11:58 am.

Beerburrum recorded 110 mm of rainfall in the 2 hours to 11:00 am.

Landsborough recorded 67 mm of rainfall in the 30 minutes to 11:15 am.

Wamuran recorded 66 mm of rainfall in 1 hour to 9:19 am.

Cedar Pocket Dam recorded 64 mm in the 1 hour to 1:05 pm.

Eerwah Vale recorded 55 mm of rainfall in the 30 minutes to 12:00 pm.

Old Range Road recorded 51 mm of rainfall in the 30 minutes to 3:30 pm.

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.