Gympie, Sunshine Coast issued severe thunderstorm warning

A popular Sunshine Coast beach has been closed as the Sunshine Coast braces for an afternoon of wild Boxing Day weather. Read the latest.

A popular Sunshine Coast beach has been closed as dark clouds roll over the Sunshine Coast.

Swimmers at Mooloolaba beach were warned via megaphone about 3.45pm that the beach would be closed for about half an hour while a severe thunderstorm rolls through.

Storm clouds hang over Mooloolaba beach. Photo: Mark Furler

A warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology about 3.55pm on Tuesday said severe thunderstorms were likely to affect Maroochydore and Caloundra by about 4.05pm.

A Bureau spokesman said a cell was moving from North Brisbane, which has already had golf-sized hail, up towards the Sunshine Coast.

Mooloolaba beach has been closed while a severe storms rolls through. Photo: Mark Furler

“They may not make it all the way to the coast but they’re headed that way currently…however do look a little weaker on the radar,” he said.

“Could be large hail stones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall in the next half an hour.

“Gympie has already had 12ml of rain out of the cell and winds up to 98km/h which is pushing up towards damaging wind levels.”

It comes after the Gold Coast and areas south of Brisbane were lashed with gale force winds and torrential rain overnight, causing widespread damage and killing one person.