Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett and Maranoa and Warrego Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:17 pm Wednesday, 13 November 2024.

Scattered severe thunderstorms developing across the southeast this afternoon

Weather Situation: A trough extends over the southeast inland of Queensland with a warm, humid and very unstable airmass on its eastern side. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop east of this main trough during the afternoon and evening, with secondary troughs extending towards the coast also expected to be a focus of development. Strong winds in the upper atmosphere ahead of an approaching upper level trough will promote organised severe thunderstorms over the southeast of Queensland eventually developing into lines of storms in the late afternoon and evening.

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

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields district. Locations which may be affected include Emerald, Springsure, Capella, Bogantungan and Comet.

4cm hail was reported at Kooralbyn around 3:30pm.

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.