‘Like a loaded gun: Wild storms, heavy rain and hail expected to lash southeast Queensland

Heavy rain and hail is expected to batter Queensland’s southeast with bad news for cricket fans in the coming days.

The approaching storm pictured from Fortitude Valley, Brisbane 5th of January 2021. (Image/Josh Woning)

Southeast Queensland is bracing for wild and damaging storms on Saturday afternoon, with the approaching weather front described as a “loaded gun”.

The unpredictable front will disrupt a clear and sunny day in the populated corner of the sunshine state as meteorologists are unable to precisely track where heavy rain, damaging winds and hail will strike.

“It looks all clear right now but it’s like a loaded gun at the moment — just need someone to come along and pull the trigger,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Matt Marshal told NCA NewsWire on Saturday.

“It will develop sometime in the afternoon and then a lot can happen when they start to stand up a bit more as the storm starts.

Severe thunderstorms are possible about #SEQld this afternoon+evening with potential to bring large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall. See map for most likely areas. Keep up to date with warnings this afternoon: https://t.co/o2vUUJ2pJu pic.twitter.com/NnXC12zmYI

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 15, 2021

“When the storms are well-developed and moving towards the coast more, they can hit multiple coastal locations in the evening.”

The meteorologist said the wild nature of the front meant it was difficult to know where and when it will land, but the most likely strike areas include the Gold Coast Hinterland, Greater Brisbane, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast.

Southeast Queensland is bracing for wild weather on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Josh Woning

The heavy storms are only expected to last an hour or two if they hit, but there’s bad news early next week for those hoping to get along to the Australia-India Test match at the Gabba.

“Monday we’re going to see some showers returning,” Mr Marshall said.

“It’s a bit of a different system on Monday — it’s going to be less about the storms and more about broad rainfall.

“Just a rainy, dreary day on Monday so that may be a bit more of a concern (for cricket fans).”