‘Potent set-up’ for damaging storms this weekend: BOM

Residents of south-east Queensland are urged to brace for another weekend of thunderstorms with destructive winds, giant hail and flash flooding possible.

About 7.28pm on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology warned of those potentially dangerous conditions in Cherbourg and parts of the Gympie, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs and South Burnett council areas.

A few areas in the south-east have already seen storms today, BOM forecaster Kimba Wong said on Friday afternoon.

“Nothing too scary just yet, but we could see quite rapid development as we head through the course of this afternoon,” she said.

The unstable atmosphere may result in some of these storms becoming severe thunderstorms as we head through the afternoon.

These storms may produce damaging winds of more than 90km/h, “which is strong enough to break down trees and power lines,” Wong said.

Residents may also see large hail more than two centimetres in diameter and brief bursts of heavy rainfall that could result in some localised flash flooding.

“Definitely a good day to keep an eye on the radar, particularly for those who might be heading out trick-or-treating,” Wong said.

Wong advised people to keep up to date with weather warnings, and be cautious as stronger storms are expected to continue this weekend.

“In particular, tomorrow, it looks like a very potent set up for severe thunderstorms to occur,” she said.

Thunderstorms on Saturday may include more destructive winds, giant hail exceeding five centimetres in diameter, and more intense rain bringing with it the risk of flash flooding.

Wong noted that in 2020, south-east Queensland was hit by 14-centimetre hailstones on Halloween.

“It’s just worth noting that giant hail could be a lot bigger than five centimetres, and it has occurred this time of year in our part of the world,” she said.

It is difficult to predict how the storms will compare to last weekend’s weather, Wong said.

“It’d be probably unlikely to see exactly the same areas being impacted exactly the same,” she said.

“Some areas that missed out last time may see some storm activity tomorrow, or ones that saw storms last time, they may see storms again tomorrow.”

The bureau cannot completely rule out the possibility of tornadoes at this stage, as the conditions may be in place to see them form in areas including the South Burnett and Sunshine Coast Hinterland where there is higher terrain.

“What we really need is a thunderstorm to occur, that thunderstorm to become severe, that thunderstorm to become a super, severe thunderstorm, and then also produce a tornado,” Wong said.

Wong urged people to prepare themselves and their property for storms and to stay safe.

“Do what you can to prepare yourselves and your property ahead of the storm activity that we’re expecting over the next couple of days,” she said.

“Consider tying down loose items in the yard and things like that that might become projectiles if the wind really does pick up with the storms and maybe consider your activity that you’ve got planned over the next couple of days as well.”

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