Central Queensland weather: Funnel cloud forms as supercell looms west of Rockhampton

Central Queensland weather watchers have captured images of an ominous funnel cloud coming close to touching down as the already-soaked region braces for more severe storms. PHOTOS.

Central Queensland residents were witness to a funnel cloud that came close to touching down on Saturday morning as an ominous supercell loomed.

A number of residents in Gracemere and surrounding areas west of Rockhampton were able to capture images of the funnel cloud emerging from a storm cell that was developing about 11am Saturday.

According to Weatherzone, a private weather service, a “very dangerous” supercell was located northwest of Rockhampton, near Alton Downs, moving in a north to north-easterly direction towards Yaamba.

A funnel cloud was observed in a storm northwest of Rockhampton with some witnesses seeing the cloud almost touchdown. Picture: Jason Moran

Gracemere resident, Jason Moran said he had not seen anything like it before when he photographed the funnel forming on his drive from Mount Morgan.

Mr Moran said he pulled over near Bouldercombe to take a picture as the unusual cloud appeared to near Gracemere and Rockhampton.

“It looked unusual but I didn’t think it would have formed into anything,” Mr Moran said.

There is potential for more thunderstorms, possibly severe, later this afternoon at Rockhampton and other parts of Central Queensland.

It comes as more severe thunderstorms are forecast for parts of Central Queensland Saturday afternoon. Picture: Jason Moran

It comes as parts of Central Queensland have been subject to flash flooding as heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms lashed the already soaked region this week.

There is potential for more thunderstorms, possibly severe, later this afternoon at Rockhampton.

On Friday, a funnel cloud was also observed alongside a super cell in Charters Towers, bringing fears of a tornado in Queensland’s north.

Funnel clouds form the core of tornados and waterspouts in the right conditions.