Severe thunderstorms predicted for Tuesday as Queensland swelters with above average temps

Large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall are set to hit Queensland’s southeast on Tuesday, bringing a slight reprieve from three days of the stifling heatwave that gripped the state.

Severe thunderstorms are expected to smash the southeast again, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning that large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall could hit the region on Tuesday.

The warning comes as the state continued to swelter through a three day heatwave on Monday, with Tuesday’s storms possibly bringing an early reprieve for scorching south Queensland.

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Thunderstorms are possible throughout the state’s north and central west, but the bulk of the severe weather is set to hit the state’s southeast corner, with townships like Gympie down to Warwick in the firing line for the worst conditions.

BOM meteorologist Pieter Claassen revealed these surprise conditions come behind the trough that’s currently raising the heat on most of the south of the state, but did admit the storms have become more intensive than first thought.

“We did a proper analysis of the system (Monday) afternoon and saw the conditions would be more serious than first thought.”

“While it’s not uncommon to see this happen in this type of system, the severity is definitely above average.”

🌩️⚠️Tomorrow, #SevereThunderstorms are likely over parts of the southeastern interior and possible about the rest of #SEQld.

Thunderstorms in these areas may bring large hail, damaging winds & heavy rainfall. Keep an eye on our warnings: https://t.co/5OYdLg13yk pic.twitter.com/C3mhMSmqs2

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) November 16, 2020

The warning comes as Queensland continued to swelter through a “stifling” heatwave, with some parts of the state’s southeast experiencing humidity over 95 per cent on Monday morning.

Coolangatta early Monday recorded 94 per cent humidity, while it got to 100 per cent at Gympie.

Temperatures across southeast Queensland will be more than 3C above average – getting to 31C in Brisbane and 36C in Ipswich.

On the Darling Downs, temperatures were expected to be 8-10C above average, with St George predicted to get to 42C.

Meteorologist Pieter Claassen from the Bureau of Meteorology said that Queensland’s dew point yesterday was higher than Darwin.

“I’m normally from that part of the world, and seeing it so high yesterday was so strange in contrast.” He said.

“While we really do feel those hot and muggy conditions along the eastern coast, we have a

bit of sea breeze that helps us out a bit.”

“The real highs will be seen more inland, even Gatton is set to be 7 degrees above average today.”

Thick smokey fog sets in over the Manly Marina this morning. The smoke from the Fraser Island fire is mixing with existing fog to make it appear thicker. Source: Supplied.

The ongoing heatwave is causing high fire danger across large parts of Queensland and Mr Claassen warns it could get worse with gusty winds expected today.

“Those warnings do stay in place for the Maranoa and the Warrego today – with townships like Charleville set to hit 42C and Cunnamulla to hit 43C.”

“We just need to slog it out for a few more days before that cooler change comes through the southwest and gives us that much needed relief.”

The southeast has also been blanketed with a “smokey fog” this morning, as smoke from the fires on Fraser Island continue to be pushed south down the coast line.

“That smoke has really been assisting that fog build up – kind of like clinging to it and making it thicker,” Mr Claassen said.

“It’s more noticeable during the morning, but is set to stick around as long as that wind is pushing it down.”

The warmer weather has also brought a busy few days for RACQ, with their Roadside Patrols receiving over 5300 calls for help since Friday.

This includes over 1500 calls related to heat stressed batteries, 11 calls for kids locked in cars and eight calls for trapped animals

MAX TEMPS ON MONDAY

Brisbane – 31C

Surfers Paradise – 29C

Caloundra – 29C

Gatton – 37C

Bollon – 43C

Quilpie – 42C