Granite Belt residents in shock as super-size hail batters southern Qld homes

Residents of parts of the Southern Downs were smashed with giant hailstones as a supercell loomed over the region Tuesday evening. SEE THE FOOTAGE.

Residents in southern Queensland saw their backyards filled with snow as hailstones up to 10cm large fell from the sky.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe storm warning for the Southern Downs at 5.54pm on Tuesday, when minutes later a supercell descended upon parts of the region.

Hailstones of up to 10cm have since been recorded by residents between Applethorpe and The Summit, north of Stanthorpe which hit the region at 6pm.

Thunderstorms hit multiple parts of Queensland from about 3pm, with the Stanthorpe storm moving slowly past Warwick toward just west of Allora before the warning for damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall was cancelled at 7.30pm.

A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said severe thunderstorm are possible over the central, southern and southeast Queensland on Wednesday.

“The hazards will be large hail (greater than 2cm diameter), damaging wind gusts (90km/h), and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding,” the spokesman said.

“Severe storms are possible again tomorrow across the Southern Downs and into South East Queensland. Isolated storms tomorrow could also bring destructive winds (125km/h) and giant hail (greater than 5cm in diameter).”

The BoM spokesman said temperatures are above average on Wednesday, with warmer weather expected to carry into Thursday and above average minimums overnight.

Cooler southeasterly winds are expected to arrive on Friday bringing milder temperatures.

Rainfall totals in the area remained minimal with the Kettle Swamp Creek alert recording the highest falls of 13mm.

Applethorpe resident Jeff McCall, who only moved to the area two years ago, was left stunned by the giant hailstones landing in his backyard.

Applethorpe resident Jeff McCall was one of many residents who were hit with up to 10cm hail stones on Tuesday evening. Photo: Jeff McCall

“We had a small hailstorm two years ago but I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.

Mr McCall said he was uncertain if the large hail had caused any damaged to his property.

A number of other residents in the area took to Facebook to share the wake of destruction caused by the thunderstorm.

Higgins Storm Chasing shared the footage via social media, showing the extent of the damage to the roof which has been left with hail-sized dints and caused significant damage.

The latest string of storms in the Toowoomba region has caused flash flooding in areas, impacting a number of roads to the north and east.

Forecasters on Monday warned the region wasn’t out of the clear with the possibility severe storm would continue to impact parts of the Toowoomba and Darling Downs region.

“The chance of heavy falls are across different parts of the Downs on any given day, and less likely to be widespread,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Granite Belt residents in shock as super-size hail batters southern Qld homes