Qld weather: Storms, fire threat remains for southern parts of state

Parts of Queensland are in the firing line for storms this afternoon and across the rest of the week as authorities warn the bushfire danger remains high and could be even worse by the end of the week.

Fire ratings will move from high to extreme in parts of the state on Thursday and Friday. File picture: Glenn Hampson

Thunderstorms are possible for parts of central and southern Queensland on Tuesday afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology says storms could form inland around Longreach and move to the southeast coast late today with localised showers and gusty winds expected.

“It’s meant to form inland around the southeast region of Longreach, but we could see those storms move east throughout the day,” meteorologist Shane Kennedy said.

“We could see those storms extending from south Emerald to north of Toowoomba.”

⛈️Thunderstorms are forecast for central and southern #QLD southeast of Longreach. Thunderstorms will mostly form inland this afternoon, but may reach the southeast coast late today (10-20% chance). No severe thunderstorms expected. Radar: https://t.co/CocrScN4dUpic.twitter.com/qjm9XbLkcb

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) September 5, 2023

It comes as fire ratings remain at high for parts of the state, including the Darling Downs, Granite Belt and central districts, but that is expected to deteriorate later in the week.

“On Thursday we’re expecting to see a broader area of highs mainly through inland districts and we could see some locally extreme fire danger in the Darling Downs,” Mr Kennedy said.

“We could potentially see some lighting strikes in some of those regions in high fire danger zones. -It’s more of a danger on Thursday and Friday”

“On Thursday, ahead of a new stronger trough we expect to see a chance of thunderstorms all through southern Queensland and into the southwest.”

“That could potentially spark in some of the high fire danger areas on Thursday and Friday.”

“On Friday, as the trough system approaches the southeast it will likely be the peak day for thunderstorms in Queensland.”

Originally published as Qld weather: Storms, fire threat remains for southern parts of state