Storms with hail and damaging winds followed by extreme heat

Storms with hail and damaging winds have been forecast for Queensland this weekend – but there will be minimal rain and they will pave the way for temperatures up to six degrees above average next week.

LARGE hail and damaging wind gusts have been forecast for Queensland this weekend — but there will be little rain to ease the harsh drought or threat from bushfires.

Storms across the southern inland and northwestern parts of the state are forecast into Saturday, with the system pushing east on Sunday.

Southeast Queensland could endure a rough Sunday with large hail possible, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Jess Gardner.

“A surface trough down in southwest Queensland is building moisture on the eastern side and an upper feature is providing instability, bringing the chance of severe storms,” Ms Gardner said.

“That could bring with it some large hail, some damaging wind gusts through the Gold Coast, through Brisbane, through the Sunshine Coast and towards the Wide Bay area,” Ms Gardner said.

“We’ll see some of that activity continue into Monday before that moves offshore.”

But those hoping for a much-needed downpour will be disappointed, with minimal rain expected and high temperatures and dry gusty winds to follow.

“As temperatures start to warm through the weekend we are looking at temperatures being up to six degrees above average,” Ms Gardner said.

The north of the state will experience heatwave conditions, with the fire danger expected to rise early next week.