Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warns of severe thunderstorms on Gold Coast over long weekend

Weather forecasters are predicting a turbulent long weekend.

WILD weather is set to lash the Gold Coast this long weekend, with forecasters predicting potentially severe thunderstorms and damaging winds on Saturday.

Bureau of Meteorology metrologist Peter Markworth said on Friday temperatures would be nearly 3C above the average for the start of Gold Coast’s long weekend, with a high around 25C.

But overnight there’ll be a change with associated cloud, rainful with drizzly conditions on Saturday morning with a potential for thunderstorms as the clouds clear but moisture hangs around.

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Wet weather is likely to hit the Gold Coast on Saturday, dampening the city’s long weekend. Picture: Liana Turner

“There’s the likelihood of a few potentially severe thunderstorms across the south east with warnings issued for damaging winds, at this stage,” he said.

“We’re also expecting wind gusts of up to 90kph in some parts, but this will be reassessed throughout the weekend.”

Mr Markworth said there was a slight chance of more rain in the late afternoon on Saturday, with clouds restricting temperatures.

“Sunday should be mostly clear with a few showers in the early morning, just after midnight, but then the rest of the day should be fine,” he said.

He said Gold Coasters should expect overnight lows on Sunday and Monday to be in single digits thanks to drier air.