Brisbane, Gold Coast flights delayed, cancelled as cyclonic winds batter NSW

Multiple flights in and out of Brisbane and the Gold Coast have been cancelled as a “bomb cyclone” wreaks havoc on NSW, while a severe weather warning for 90km/h winds is active for Queensland.

Multiple flights out of Brisbane have been cancelled this morning, with a severe weather warning active for southern Queensland as cyclonic wind gusts and heavy rain wreak havoc on eastern New South Wales.

As of 7.30am, at least seven flights heading to Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle and Wollongong were grounded, with more cancellations likely in the coming hours and days as the severe weather conditions persist.

Large swells are expected to pound the east coast. Picture: BOM

Flights heading toward Brisbane have also been grounded, with delays and cancellations impacting services from Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney.

The wild weather has also impacted flights from NSW to the Gold Coast.

By 10am, eight flights between Sydney and the Gold Coast had been cancelled (four each way) with an airport spokesperson advising travellers to “check their flight status with their airline, particularly if they are planning to travel to or from Sydney/NSW today”.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for South East Queensland, with damaging wind gusts developing over the Main Range and eastern slopes from this evening and over the Scenic Rim from early Wednesday morning.

“A vigorous west to south-westerly flow is likely to develop over the Main Range and eastern lee slopes from this evening and over the Scenic Rim early Wednesday morning in response to a rapidly deepening low pressure system off the NSW coast,” the warning reads.

“Strong west to south-westerly winds averaging 50-60km/h with damaging wind gusts of around 90km/h …”

Severe Weather Warningfor DAMAGING WINDS
For people in parts of South East Qld

Damaging wind gusts developing over the Main Range and eastern lee slopes from this evening and over the Scenic Rim from early Wednesday morning.https://t.co/qmCl5AXm8spic.twitter.com/ack6q4O5Ea

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) June 30, 2025

A deepening coastal trough over South East Queensland and northeast NSW brought widespread falls of 30 to 70mm over Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.

Forecasters have labelled the system a potential “bomb cyclone” — an intense weather event that can emerge and escalate dramatically within a matter of days.

The system, known as “bombogenesis”, is expected to develop into a savage east coast low by this afternoon, with areas from Tenterfield down to the Illawarra and beyond warned of “destructive” winds up to 110km/h, capable of ripping down trees and powerlines.

Dunwich Airport, on North Stradbroke Island, collected 103mm in the 24 hours to 9am.

Winds across southern Queensland are expected to intensify from today, reaching 50km/h in Brisbane from Wednesday.

Rainfall totals could exceed 150mm. Picture: BOM

A severe weather warning was issued at 6am for damaging winds and heavy rain along the NSW coast, stretching from Port Macquarie to Ulladulla, and affecting the southern Mid North Coast and northern NSW ranges.

Meteorologist Helen Reid from the Bureau of Meteorology said that the intense winds would continue to impact eastern NSW throughout Tuesday.

“We can expect average winds with gale force of 60km/h to 70km/h, and peak gusts between 90km/h and 110km/h are possible,” she said.

The low press system is expected to rapidly intensify tomorrow. Picture: BOM

“There’s isolated heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding along the coastal fringe north of Ulladulla, with six hourly totals between 70mm to 90mm, and even up to 120mm in isolated locations in that six-hour period.

“Towns impacted include Armidale, Taree, Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra and Batemans Bay. Locally destructive wind gusts of around 125km/h, also possible from midday on Tuesday, for exposed coastal areas between Bondi and Wollongong.”

Parts of Queensland will face a cold snap later this week, with chilly conditions expected across central regions.

Temperatures are set to plunge across southern Queensland later this week, with some parts expected to feel as cold as -4C. Picture: WeatherWatch

From Wednesday, temperatures are set to plummet, with Augathella dipping to 0C, before dropping to -1C on Thursday.

By Friday, Injune is forecasted to be the coldest town in the state, with temperatures dipping to a chilly -3C.

Originally published as Brisbane, Gold Coast flights delayed, cancelled as cyclonic winds batter NSW