Qld weather: More storms expected on Wednesday after giant hail on Granite Belt

A day after parts of the state’s south were smashed with baseball-sized hail and 100km-plus wind gusts, more damaging winds have struck central western Queensland.

A day after parts of the state’s south were smashed with baseball-sized hail and 100km-plus wind gusts, more damaging winds have struck central western Queensland.

Winton experienced winds up to 98km/h at 4.14pm, which brought down trees and cut power.

Winton Shire councillor Frank Standfast captured the storms in his front yard (above), showing strong winds coming together with numerous hailstones.

It comes after the Bureau of Meteorology’s Patch Clapp said more wild winds and large hailstones were likely on Wednesday.

Storm damage at Winton. Picture: Higgins Storm Chasing

“We are watching for damaging wind gusts greater than 90km an hour again today, and possible large hail greater than two centimetres in diameter and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding so that’s kind of a watchpoint,” the senior meteorologist said.

“Particularly the eastern inland areas south of Rockhampton to Emerald. Certainly through the Highlands and Coalfields and the Wide Burnett region again.

“Also through the Darling Downs and the Granite Belt and even through some of the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim.”

Giant, baseball-sized hailstones have reportedly fallen at Stanthorpe Tuesday afternoon in a severe storm. Picture: Higgins Storm Chasing

Meanwhile, weather bureau meteorologist Pat Clapp said Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine coasts would experience rain on Wednesday evening and into Thursday.

“We’re expecting to see those storms from out in the west track towards the coast through the overnight period,” Mr Clapp said.

It comes after hailstones between 6cm to 8cm were reported in the area to the north of Stanthorpe between 6pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, while wind gusts up to 107km/h were recorded at Yeppoon and other regions recorded more than 55mm of rain in an hour.

Giant, baseball-sized hailstones have reportedly fallen at Stanthorpe this afternoon in a severe storm. Picture: Linda Lennon

On Tuesday, a total of 46mm of rain was recorded at Sutties Creek in Far North Queensland in the 30 minutes to 4.21pm, while 58mm was recorded at Emerald Crest near Mareeba in the 60 minutes to 3.22pm.

More than 40 roads in the South Burnett region, including Bunya Highway, were closed following the rain brought by the severe thunderstorm.

At least four roads in Toowoomba remained closed due to flash flooding.

South Burnett Regional Council said its local disaster management group stood down as the immediate threat passed.

A roof smashed by hail. Picture: Higgins Storm Chasing

Meanwhile, a severe heatwave warning has been issued for the majority of Queensland, with the intense heat likely to continue into Friday.

The mercury had climbed to 39.6C at Birdsville by 9.30am on Wednesday.

“We are going to see some warm conditions pretty much across the state. The warmest temperatures will be in the west but particularly up in Northeastern Queensland,” he said.

“There is a combination of you know warmer than average temperatures for that part of the state and also some really high humidity levels.”

Giant hailstones in Applethorpe compared to the size of a Nerf dart. Picture: Higgins Storm Chasing

Stormclouds over Toowoomba. Picture: Libby Cee/Facebook

Originally published as Qld weather: More storms expected on Wednesday after giant hail on Granite Belt