Qld weather: Supercell storms bringing giant hail a possibility on a volatile afternoon for southeast

Multiple severe thunderstorms have swept through the southeast corner, including reports of 5cm hail, following a ‘supercellular’ threat.

Multiple severe thunderstorms swept through the southeast corner on Thursday, following a ‘supercellular’ threat.

Thunderstorms hit numerous centres in the evening, including Gympie, Pomona and Noosa Heads, with the weather bureau reporting damaging winds and large hailstones.

Further south, 4cm hail hit the Gold Coast hinterland, while 5cm hail was reported at Tweed Heads.

The severe thunderstorm warning for South East Queensland has since been cancelled.

After the bureau warned of the possibility of “potentially supercellular” storms for Thursday night, a wider severe thunderstorm warning remained current for a number of districts, including the Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and Central Highlands and Coalfields areas.

“A moist and very unstable airmass east of a surface trough over central Queensland is producing thunderstorm activity across eastern parts of the state,” the bureau said.

“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours.

Those severe thunderstorm warnings were cancelled just after 10pm.

⛈️Today's Storm Forecast 27/10⛈️
Damaging winds, large hail & heavy rain a risk w. severe storms in northern, central & eastern Qld today. Isolated supercells possible south of ~St Lawrence (incl. #SEQld) may pose localised risk of giant hail & destructive winds. Warnings likely. pic.twitter.com/jWUVAmuPIh

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) October 27, 2022

The Bureau earlier said the risk of thunderstorms was highest from the afternoon into the evening, with the unpredictable storms beginning as schools close for the day.

“It always feels like the weather gods playing a trick on us,” forecaster Kimba Wong said.

“It will be difficult to know exactly where it’s going to impact.

“I’m going to stress that they will be very isolated and if they do get this strong we couldn’t rule out the risk of some giant hail over 5cm in diameter and destructive wind gusts as well.”

She urged residents to keep an eye on the radar and warnings page, especially before school pick-up.

“If you’re heading out for a drive this afternoon maybe think about checking the radar before you do just in case, and then think about where might be wanting to park your car in case we see some of those bigger storms starting to fire up,” she said.

Further north, the Bureau said stiflingly hot and humid days would continue, with maximum temperatures expected to reach 40C through inland areas and in the mid-30s near the coast over coming days.

The minimum overnight temperatures will not provide much respite, with temperatures remaining in the mid 20s as the heatwave conditions peak today and tomorrow, but persist into the weekend for areas around Croydon, Cooktown, Hope Vale, Ingham, Kowanyama, Mareeba, Normanton, Proserpine and Weipa.

There is relief in sight from the wild conditions, however, with the Bureau saying the trough responsible will push quickly east on Thursday and clear on Friday morning.

Another stronger trough will enter the southwest during Sunday and move east across the state during the early days of next week.

This system is likely to be accompanied by a broad upper trough moving across the south of the continent, delivering a cold air mass to much of the country, The Bureau says.

Meanwhile, a number of flood warnings remain active across Queensland on Thursday morning.

Major Flood Warning for the Balonne River, Moderate flood warning for the Bokhara River and Minor Flood Warning for the Condamine River

Moderate Flood Warning for the Macintyre River and Moderate Flood Warning for the Weir River

Moderate Flood Warning for the Paroo River (QLD)

Minor Flood Warning for the Barcoo River

Minor Flood Warning for the Bulloo River

Minor Flood Warning for the Moonie River

Final Flood Warning for the Lower Brisbane River catchment

Final Flood Warning for the Upper Dawson River

Final Flood Warning for the Wallam and Mungallala Creeks

Initial Minor Flood Warning for the Warrego River (QLD)