Toowoomba weather: Storms, heavy rainfall forecast for Darling Downs on New Year’s Eve

After a night of wild weather across the state, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting more storm activity for the Darling Downs, threatening to disrupt New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The Bureau of Meteorology is warning there will be a second bout of heavy rainfall and storm activity on New Year’s Eve, after the Darling Downs experienced a record-breaking night of rainfall.

The storms are likely to start building from about midday on Tuesday and are expected to peak around late afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms were detected moving across the Toowoomba region after 2pm.

They are predicted to affect Leyburn by 2.50pm, as one of the storm cells continues to move north east.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued on Tuesday afternoon.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Daniel Hayes said more storm activity with potentially heavy rainfall was “quite possible” for the Darling Downs on Tuesday afternoon and into the evening.

Storms are expected to cause heavy rainfall in Warwick, Stanthorpe, Allora and Clifton and could lead to flash flooding over the next few hours.

The storm activity is expected to continue into the evening, according to the warning from BOM.

“We expect to see more shower and storm activity through the Downs, and there is the potential that some of that could again be severe with some heavy rainfall,” he said.

“Definitely be keeping an eye out for warnings issued this afternoon.”

Kingaroy Barkers Creek Road Tuesday morning at Lees Bridge Picture: South Burnett Flood Watch.

The warnings come after a night of severe weather and heavy rainfall across the state on Monday, with a slow moving supercell dumping more than 150mm of rain.

The Darling Downs and Central Highlands recorded more than 100mm of rain on Monday.

Toowoomba saw 47.4mm of rain, Oakey picked up 27.4mm and at Wellcamp Airport 48.4mm fell.

Mt Castle, north of Warwick, recorded 56mm of rain and Dalby saw totals of around 50-70mm.

The eastern and northern parts of the state experienced higher rainfall totals on Monday.

Around 150-180mm fell from Kingaroy through to the coast towards Maryborough.

Water levels remained high in Dalby on December 31 after heavy rain the night prior. Photo: Jack Evans.

Across the state the SES had 68 storm related call-outs with 72 per cent of requests being flood related. The South Burnett region had 43 call-outs and emergency services responded to 10 calls for assistance in Toowoomba.

Shower activity across the Downs is expected ease over the coming days, with most of the heavy rain forecast to move north towards the Central Coast.

The Bureau is forecasting a medium chance of showers and potential thunderstorms on Thursday.

Conditions are expected to clear up across the Downs on Friday and into the weekend with some light showers a possibility.

As we head into the New Year, Mr Hayes said temperatures would remain slightly above the average and the potential for some higher than average rainfall.

Originally published as Toowoomba weather: Storms, heavy rainfall forecast for Darling Downs on New Year’s Eve