‘Large hail likely’: Southeast braces for more severe thunderstorms

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in place for parts of southeast Queensland, with one South Burnett man reporting 30mm of rain in just 20 minutes.

Hail and more than 30mm of rain has fallen on parts of southeast Queensland this afternoon in a “short, sharp and nasty” storm front moving northeast.

Richard Grimes captured an abundance of small hailstones which fell on his South Burnett Property west of Proston.

He said about 30mm of rain fell over 20 minutes while the hail lasted 10 minutes.

Richard Grimes said hail fell over his South Burnett property during a short storm on Wednesday afternoon.

Just west, a Sujeewong resident recorded 17mm of rain, describing the event as a “a very short, sharp, nasty little storm with lots of small lumpy bits”.
A severe thunderstorm warning remains in place for parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia and Wide Bay and Burnett Forecast Districts.
Locations which may be affected include Monto, Mundubbera, Biggenden, Eidsvold, Gin Gin and Tiaro.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has forecast destructive winds and hail.

The severe weather warning for the Gympie and South Burnett Council Areas has been cancelled.

The latest weather warning from the Bureau of Meteorology. Picture: BOM

The BOM on Wednesday warned residents of Gympie and the South Burnett that the storm had been detected on the radar near the ranges between Gympie and Murgon and Lake Boondooma about 2.20pm.

“These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast,” a statement from the bureau said.

“They are forecast to affect Proston and Kilkivan by 2:50pm and the area northwest of Gympie, the area north of Lake Boondooma and the area northeast of Lake Boondooma by 3:20pm.

“Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.”

A separate severe thunderstorm warning was issued for people in parts of Central Highlands and Coalfields, and Wide Bay and Burnett about 2.30pm.

A storm warning has been issued for parts of the southeast.

“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 Central Highlands and Coalfields district,” a statement from the bureau said.

“Locations which may be affected include Blackwater, Woorabinda, Capella, Dysart, Comet and Tartrus.”

Storms across southern parts of Queensland and New South Wales last week caused flooding with record November rain falling on some towns.

Meteorologists have described this spring as wetter than usual.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

* Move your car under cover or away from trees.

* Secure loose outdoor items.

* Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it‘s flooded, forget it.

* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.

* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.

For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.