Queensland weather: Warnings of severe thunderstorms, intense grass pollen season for Brisbane

The first severe thunderstorms of the season are expected early next week as hay fever and asthmas sufferers are put on high alert.

South East Queensland is being warned to brace for severe thunderstorms early next week. Picture: Richard Walker

Hay fever and asthma sufferers have been put on high alert due to the risk of intense pollen levels amid soaring temperatures and a triple-threat of severe storms early next week.

Daytime maximums are forecast to be 8C above average across South East Queensland, with Brisbane forecast to reach 33C on Sunday, Ipswich 36C and the Sunshine Coast 31C.

Temperatures will remain above average early next week before warnings of the season’s first severe thunderstorms expected on Tuesday due to unstable conditions.

“There will be some instability around,” Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said.

“That could trigger, the first three significant thunderstorm outbreaks for the southeast of this severe weather season.”

The conditions, particularly north-easterly winds, are expected to trigger an early and intense grass pollen season, according to the National Asthma Council Australia, with a warning issued to hay fever and asthma sufferers.

Maps showing soil moisture levels in and around Brisbane currently (left) and a year ago (right). Picture: Bureau of Meteorology.

AirHealth chief operating and scientific officer Dr Edwin Lampugnani warned the grass pollen season could be particularly intense due to the current environmental conditions.

He said if predicted high rainfall totals over spring eventuated, Brisbane could see more grass growth, leading to higher pollen levels.

“The combination of weather patterns and local vegetation growth points to a season that may

bring higher-than usual pollen levels,” he said.