Authorities have warned residents in northern NSW, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to stay inside tonight, as ‘super cell’ thunderstorms move across the area. Severe storm warnings remain in place as at 10pm.
The storm struck Queensland’s Southern and Darling Down region around lunchtime, bringing hailstones as large as nine centimetres.
Hail, 5cm-8cm, fell across Toowoomba, Gatton, the Sunshine Coast, the Lockyer Valley and Brisbane as heavy rain continued to drench the region.
Lightning and dark clouds rolled in over Brisbane about 3pm, resulting in power cuts to almost 700 residents in Bowen Hills.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warns for damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall, which could result in flash flooding, across northern NSW and much of Queensland.
“When it comes to the wind, there is even an outside chance that we could see a tornado or two touch down with the most intense, most severe thunderstorm cells later on today,” BoM meteorologist Angus Hines said.
The worst of the storm is expected to hit Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, the Brisbane metro area, the Sunshine Coast, Maleny and Noosa Heads.
The Burnett region, Kingaroy and Gympie, as well as Biloela and Toowoomba are also in the firing line, Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Angus Hines said.
Residents in the NSW Northern Tablelands and across the North West Slopes and Plains, including Tamworth and Moree are also expected to be hit by the storms.
Coastal areas such as Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Ballina, Lismore and Byron Bay are also in the firing line.
Residents have been advised to pack away or secure outdoor furniture, toys and trampolines, park cars away from trees, close doors and windows.
The Bureau urged locals across northern NSW and south eastern Queensland to remain inside a “strong building” until the storm passes and advised against driving.
However, authorities have urged locals to keep up to date with the Bureau of Meteorology weather warnings due to how quickly the weather can turn.
Rainy conditions and storms in some areas may continue tomorrow, but overall conditions are expected to improve.
Inland areas from Brisbane to Bundaberg may still see severe thunderstorms tomorrow.
