Large hail, destructive winds and heavy rainfall forecast for southeast Queensland, Caloundra festival on alert

A severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds and large hail has been issued by the weather bureau for parts of the Sunshine Coast and surrounds. Here’s what you need to know.

A severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds and large hail has been issued by the weather bureau for parts of the Sunshine Coast.

The bureau’s warning says a broad upper trough had combined with surface convergence to produce thunderstorms into the afternoon and evening.

It says the thunderstorms were likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones over the next few hours.

The warning is for parts of the southeast Coast, Wide Bay, Burnett and Darling Downs regions.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

Move your car under cover or away from trees.

• Secure loose outdoor items.
• 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.

Forecaster Peter Markworth said on Thursday morning that the system was due to be the first outbreak of the summer season.

It comes after a wild storm ripped through western Queensland on Tuesday night which blew car windows out and tore off roofs.

Mr Markworth said it would be an “interesting” few days.

⛈️Thunderstorms happening across broad areas of #QLDweather are forecast to continue through today. Some are expected to be severe - beware of #wind, #hail, #rain particularly through the Central West, Maranoa & Warrego and Darling Downs. Warning details https://t.co/X7lA5IVYa4pic.twitter.com/gM0dvfdYmF

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) September 29, 2021

“There’s been evidence of giant hail and destructive winds out west, we aren’t as likely to see it this close to the coastline but it can’t be ruled out,” Mr Markworth said.

“This trough is moving rapidly across to the Coast.”

The majority of the bureau’s rainfall gauges between 1-2mm in the past 24 hours, however 6mm fell at Mountain Creek, 5mm at West Woombye and at Little Mountain.

Mr Markworth said the system was due to reach parts of the Coast in the late afternoon and potentially remain a threat into the evening.

Myles Allan was taking part in the Boss Road Rally when his vehicle received damage from a storm that slammed Adavale, west of Charleville, late on September 28. Picture: Facebook

The weather bureau has forecast 5-15mm of rain for Thursday and 15-30mm on Friday, however, Mr Markworth said isolated totals could bring down as much rain as 60-70mm.

“Those totals are fairly broad, it doesn’t take into account any isolated falls which could be quite a bit higher,” he said.

“It’s absolutely the first big one, the first outbreak of the season.”

Publican Koss Siwers, from Adavale in western Queensland where Tuesday’s storm hit, said he could hear a freight train as the short-lived storm moved over the town of 25 residents.

“It was absolutely shocking,” Mr Siwers said.

What it means for Caloundra Music Festival

Caloundra Music Festival organiser Richie Eyles says contingency plans are ready to be activated should the “worst happen” and a severe storm hits the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Eyles said he was watching the weather bureau closely with a system due to reach the region on Thursday.

The three-day festival is due to start on Friday and is headlined by the likes of Ball Park Music, John Butler, Waax and Thelma Plum.

Should there be a dangerous thunderstorm overnight, Mr Eyles said the festival could be temporarily shut down until it was safe to resume.

He said it was another hurdle to jump but one he said the organisers were ready for.

“Hopefully it’s not as bad as the worst case scenario,” Mr Eyles said.

“We can switch up artists if need be.

“It’s rain, hail or shine at the moment but bring your raincoats or ponchos.”

Mr Eyles said it was common that wild weather had impacted the popular festival.

7-day temperature forecast for Maroochydore

Thursday: max 23C

Friday: 15-26C

Saturday: 13-28C

Sunday: 13-29C

Monday: 16-33C

Tuesday: 15-29C

Wednesday: 12-26C