Hail, damaging winds and storms: Severe weather warning in place for Gold Coast

Gold Coasters are being urged to prepare for hail, storms and damaging winds after the southeast copped a ferocious battering overnight. LATEST

Gold Coasters are being urged to prepare for hail, storms and damaging winds after the southeast copped a ferocious battering overnight.

A severe weather and marine warning is in place for the Gold Coast and throughout southeast Queensland, with the wild weather set to hit from early Thursday afternoon.

It comes after a boat encountered rough seas and capsized off the Gold Coast Seaway on Wednesday afternoon.

The skipper of Phantasia encounters some rough seas at the Gold Coast Seaway near where a boat capsized earlier on Wednesday. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Two boaties clung to the hull of their overturned vessel after it capsized about 1.20pm, 200m from the southern wall of the seaway. Several boats went to help the pair who were safely recovered.

In Brisbane, a person had to be rescued from their car as floodwaters swept through the city, with the storm cutting power to thousands of homes across the state.

A Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecaster said there was a high possibility of a severe storm hitting the Gold Coast, with potential for hailstones and damaging winds.

Gold Coasters are being urged to remain vigilant and keep an eye out for changing conditions. Double lightning strike on the Gold Coast, Q1 and a crane, 2021. Picture: Renee Doyle / Severe Weather Australia

Up to 30mm of rain could hit the Coast late Thursday and into Friday morning.

The meteorologist said the storm should ease later on Friday and clear by Saturday morning.

The reprieve from the weather should hold for Sunday, when thousands of people flock to the first event of the 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions – the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo at Doug Jennings Park at The Spit.

Partly cloudy conditions are forecast for that day.

GOLD COAST Queensland

He said Gold Coast Seaway conditions were in “no way ideal for boaties”, with severe wind gusts of up to 30 knots and increasing swells.

A severe marine wind warning is in place for all Gold Coast beaches and waterways.

Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates warned Gold Coasters to be vigilant with the onset of weather.

“Recent hot days have created conditions that may bring afternoon storms and hail for some parts of our city,” Cr Gates said.

“Now is the time to prepare. Check your property for items that may become airborne if a storm does impact the coast.

“Where possible, stay off the roads and keep children away from stormwater run-off.”

For Gold Coast City Council updates and warnings, visit dashboard.cityofgoldcoast.com.au