Qld weather: Likelihood of severe thunderstorms rising, with threat of hail, damaging winds for southeast

South East Queensland residents are being warned that the likelihood of severe thunderstorms, which could deliver damaging winds, heavy rain and large hail, is increasing.

The threat of thunderstorms has increased from Sunday’s forecast. Picture: Richard Walker

Coastal areas of South East Queensland are expected to be hit heaviest by severe thunderstorms that are predicted to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall and large hail in coming days.

Damaging winds (90km/h or greater), large hail (2cm or more) and heavy rainfall are possible in the region, with the “peak” of storm activity expected to be Tuesday afternoon and evening.

On Monday, BOM senior meteorologist Helen Reid said thunderstorms were “more likely” than had been reported on Sunday, and there was a slight variation on exactly where the storms were going to hit.

She said there was a “thunderstorm or two” expected to hit the South Burnett region on Monday afternoon but stronger storms were predicted for Tuesday through the afternoon.

“There has been a minor extension to the area expected to be impacted by storms tomorrow,” Ms Reid said.

“Thunderstorms tomorrow could extend as far as the South Burnett region but [are] expected for mainly the coastal ranges of South East Queensland all the way down to New South Wales.

“They could extend also into the Darling Downs as well as Central Queensland.

“We are expecting some heavy rainfall, large hail and damaging winds – the potential for all those things are there.

“Keep an eye out for any warnings as they come through across the next day also.”

Ms Reid said she expected temperatures across South East Queensland to “cool off” because of the storms and the cloud cover they create, but the western inland regions will be hit by increased heat.

Originally published as Qld weather: Likelihood of severe thunderstorms rising, with threat of hail, damaging winds for southeast