Qld weather: Cold snap, storms, downpours to hit as twin systems cross into state

Parts of Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich have been hit with wild weather as a large band of rain with isolated storms ripped through the Southeast on Wednesday afternoon.

South East Queensland has been smashed by heavy storms on Wednesday afternoon, less than a week after the hail had hit parts of the region.

The large rain band with isolated storms moved from Ipswich into Brisbane, with intense rain being felt from Mount Gravatt to Logan.

Higgins Storm Chasing posted to social media that a “microburst” had been experienced at Eagleby in the Logan region, causing minor damage to roofs, fences and trees.

Concentrated powerful winds were seen in Eagleby and Loganholme.

Unseasonable thunder storms and wet weather crossed through Queensland and Brisbane. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Social media users also reported torrential rain alongside thunder and lightning.

Microbursts are concentrated winds that descend from rain clouds before hitting the ground and blowing horizontally.

Brisbane Airport stopped several planes from landing and taking off on Wednesday night.

As of 7pm, 35 flights had been delayed and 7 cancelled.

More moderate conditions were felt from Boondall to Tweed Heads.

At Logan, several Eagleby residents reported damage after the potential microburst.

Talise Pearsall said lightning struck a tree in her yard and she lost a shed, as she likened the howling winds to a tornado.

“I’m [in] one of the streets it hit in Eagleby. Hit our street badly,” she said.

“Lightning hit a tree in our yard. Lost my shed into the neighbours yard. Was like a tornado. So scary. Have never heard wind like that.

“Huge trees down, fences down, neighbours lost their roof, blew front doors open.”

Jason Pollard said he also lost a shed and fencing.

“Lost our shed, most of our fence,” he said.

“Been cleaning up and helping neighbours for a few hours now.”

It comes as Queensland is set to experience a burst of unseasonal rain through to Sunday due to two weather systems crossing the state over the coming days, with Brisbane potentially recording up to 50mm of rainfall over the four-day period.

South East Queensland residents have been warned to expect significant wet weather including storms today.

A cold front is forecast to move across southern Queensland on Wednesday, preceded by a trough moving through central parts of the state.

Isolated thunderstorms are possible on Wednesday across eastern districts south of Bowen, as well as parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, and the Darling Downs and Granite Belt. Dalby and Toowoomba could see falls of up to 15mm, while the Brisbane region could record falls of up to 20mm.

Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich residents were caught off-guard after unseasonal storms swept through last Friday causing traffic chaos and blanketing the regions with hail.

On Thursday, isolated showers will affect the east coast north of Rockhampton, while cloud cover will increase in the far southwest. The rest of the state is expected to remain mostly sunny.

A solid shelf cloud is being observed along the leading edge of the storm heading East through Logan and between Brisbane the Gold Coast. This was the view over Manly a short time ago. Strong winds and heavy rain have been reported from this storm already. Image sent into HSC by Sara

A more significant cold front and pre-frontal trough are expected to sweep across much of Queensland between Friday evening and Sunday morning, bringing widespread rainfall.

By Friday, isolated to scattered showers are expected west of Roma to Hughenden, with moderate falls possible. Frost may form in parts of the southeastern interior.

A cold front pictured passing over WA on Monday is expected to reach Queensland today. Picture: Weatherzone

The wet weather is expected to peak on Saturday, bringing scattered to widespread showers across the state. Rainfall totals are likely to reach around 15mm in a 24-hour period from Hughenden through to Lismore, while heavier falls of up to 25mm are possible around Emerald, Tambo and Brisbane.

Conditions will begin to ease on Sunday, with showers clearing along the east coast south of Townsville.

Isolated to scattered showers may linger north of Townsville and in parts of the southern interior, with partly cloudy conditions elsewhere.

Storm clouds roll in late on Wednesday afternoon over the Langland Parks football ground at Greenslopes. Picture: Liam Kidston

Originally published as Qld weather: Cold snap, storms, downpours to hit as twin systems cross into state