Queensland weather: Thunderstorms impact Western Downs, warnings in place for southern Queensland

Stunning images have captured the moment supercell storms blasted across Queensland’s Westerns Downs region, whipping up a wall of dust.

A severe storm on the Western Downs picks up dust and smoke. Picture: Weather Watch

A Queensland weather chaser has captured the wild moment a supercell storm whipped up a wall of dust and smoke on the Western Downs.

It comes as the Bureau of Meteorology warns of more severe thunderstorms across the weekend, with the threat of large hail and damaging winds.

Anthony Cornelius was caught in the middle of the storms near Dalby on Friday afternoon, describing 100km/h winds and a “wall of dust and debris flying through the air”.

The temperature dropped from 29C to 22C the moment the storm hit, he said.

Severe storms east of Tara. Picture: Weather Watch

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Brooke Pagel said the storms provided relief to firefighters and residents fighting the Tara bushfires.

“Around that region (Darling Downs) there was about 12-18mm, so it was nice for them to have but not too drastic,” she said.

Ms Pagel said the storms picked up lots of dust and smoke which contributed to reduced visibility.

Severe storms barrel across the Dalby region. Picture: Weather Watch

Severe thunderstorm warnings remain in place for the Central Highlands, Coalfields, Maranoa, Warrego, Darling Downs, and Granite Belt.

Ms Pagel said the storms could move into Brisbane and the Gold Coast on Monday.

“Moderate rainfall will continue over ongoing fires through central and southeastern Queensland particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday,” she said.

Ms Pagel said the southeast received significant rainfall totals between 10-25mm on Friday.

The severe storms whip up dust as they roll across the Western Downs. Picture: Weather Watch

“We have a lingering trough over inland Queensland and its slow moving which really helps a real build up of moisture in the air

“The trough is looking to push back west later into next week moving into Longreach on Thursday and Friday,” she said.

Ms Pagel said temperatures would be slightly warmer than average as a low intensity heatwave moves through parts of Gulf Country.

⛈️Thunderstorm forecast: severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging wind gusts, and heavy rainfall are possible in inland central and southern #QLD. Thunderstorms are possible across much of inland QLD today. Warnings if needed: https://t.co/FBmpsInT9opic.twitter.com/lS7MzUZSqp

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) November 3, 2023

“Minimum temperatures are really up there, for example Mt Isa’s minimum today is 27C and they are already at 30C,” she sad.

The Darling Downs will experience north-easterly winds of up to 30km/h next week through to Tuesday

Highest rainfall totals:

St George – 28mm

Glenhaughton – 43mm

Surrey – 30mm

Chinchilla – 10mm