50mm+ rain predicted for Warwick, Southern Downs after overnight drenching

Experts say overnight storms were just a sign of things to come with potentially severe thunderstorms and huge downpours on the way. Check out the full forecast here:

Overnight rain came as a welcome relief to residents across Warwick and the Southern Downs after a months-long dry spell, but experts say the best downpours are yet to come.

Rain gauges from the Bureau of Meteorology have recorded 12mm in Warwick since 9am Wednesday, and 22mm in Applethorpe within the same period.

Wallangarra scored the highest 24-hour totals in the region with a massive 42mm.

BOM meteorologist Peter Markworth said this week’s earlier forecasts of 60mm – 70mm over Thursday and Friday were certainly on the cards for Warwick, particularly with the high likelihood of thunderstorms.

“There’s plenty of moisture and temperatures still around, so we expect a reinvigoration of these storms in the Warrego and Maranoa region moving across to the Darling Downs as early as this morning, and into this afternoon and evening,” Mr Markworth said.

“We’ve got 15mm – 35mm forecast (Friday) and it’s probably going to be fairly similar (on Thursday), but as we saw last night with a storm over the top those totals can get quite high.

“They could get as high as 60mm, potentially 70mm is there with the moisture in the air. That’s likely closer to the coast, but I’m not going to rule it out.”

Mr Markworth warned the storms were likely to be severe, with the potential for damaging winds and hail alongside heavy rainfall.

There are no current storm warnings in place, but residents are being urged to take precautions early.