The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings for Queensland, with damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding expected from Friday through Sunday. Brisbane is forecast to receive up to 80mm of rain, while supercell storms could develop across the south-east of the state.
Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully warned that parts of north-eastern New South Wales and south-east Queensland 'may see damaging winds, large hail or heavy rainfall that could cause flash flooding.' The severe weather is driven by multiple troughs of low pressure combining with tropical moisture.
On Friday evening, a severe weather warning was issued for areas including Toowoomba, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Ipswich, Cleveland, Gatton, Caboolture, and Somerset Dam. Around 11,000 homes experienced blackouts across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Redland, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Somerset, and Toowoomba.
This weekend marks the fifth consecutive one of severe storms in south-east Queensland, including supercell storms, which are considered the most long-lived and dangerous thunderstorms. 'We’re well and truly into the severe weather season,' Scully said.
In Sydney, Saturday is expected to be wet with possible afternoon or evening storms, while Melbourne may see thunderstorms on Sunday. The Bureau also warned of extreme fire danger ratings across NSW central and southern slopes and plains, and a possible tropical low cyclone forming north of the Kimberley or Northern Territory next week.
