Queenslanders brace for more intense thunderstorms as heatwave continues

One Aussie state has been told to bunker down ahead of a fresh wave of severe storms, with hail of up to 5cm already hammering down.

Queenslanders are bracing for another night of severe thunderstorms, with parts of the southeast getting hammered by hail.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning about 2.45pm on Thursday, as very dangerous thunderstorms hit north and south of Gympie.

Severe thunderstorms are currently active across the Sunshine Coast and headed towards Noosa and Maroochydore on Thursday afternoon.

The Bureau forecasts destructive winds and giant hail is possible across the southeast.

Kilcoy has already recorded hail falling at Kilcoy up to 5cm in size.

The Bureau warns that at 3pm very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Toolara Forest.

“These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to northeast,” the Bureau stated.

“Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Inskip and Inskip Point by 4pm.”

Other severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Noosa Heads, waters off Noosa Heads, the area north of Kilkivan and the area east of Murgon.

“They are forecast to affect the area south of Noosa Heads, the ranges between Gympie and Murgon and Coolum Beach by 3.30pm and the area north of Gympie by 4pm,” the Bureau stated.

Large, possibly giant hailstones and damaging winds are likely.

Kids have been spotted escaping the heat as Queensland’s intense heatwave continues. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Meanwhile, residents in the northern part of the sunshine state continue to grapple with an intense heatwave.

The Bureau issued an extreme heatwave warning for the Peninsula, Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and Herbert and Lower Burdekin Districts.

The North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West and North West Districts are also expected to experience a severe heatwave.

Brisbane woke on Thursday to chaos following an intense night of thunderstorms.

Drivers experienced heavy delays on roads into Brisbane after a sinkhole opened on a crucial inner west artery on Thursday morning.

The sinkhole, which is about 1.5m wide and of unknown depth, was discovered in the early hours of Thursday morning and led to the closure of two lanes on Coronation Dr near Land St in Auchenflower.

Brisbane traffic was impacted on Thursday after a sinkhole was found on Coronation Dr in Auchenflower. Picture: Andrea Crothers / Nine’s The Today Show

Only the left lane was open city bound on the major road.

The Queensland Department of Major Roads and Transport announced at 3.20pm on Thursday the road had reopened.

“Motorists are thanked for their patience” the department stated.