Giant Hail and Supercell Storms Batter South-East Queensland
Severe weather has once again taken hold of south-east Queensland, with giant hailstones, torrential rain, and dangerous thunderstorms sweeping across the region. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a “very dangerous” thunderstorm warning, cautioning residents about the threat of supercell storms capable of producing giant hail, flash flooding, and even isolated tornadoes over the next 24 hours.
The weather chaos began unfolding on Friday afternoon, with reports of massive hail—some as large as seven centimetres—falling around Laidley and Redcliffe. BOM forecaster Felim Hanniffy confirmed that intense storm cells had developed across several areas, including the Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba regions. While Brisbane managed to avoid the worst of it early on, nearby towns weren’t as lucky. Power outages have affected more than 7,500 homes across the Sunshine Coast and Logan areas, with Energex crews working to restore electricity as quickly as possible.
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Despite the extreme conditions, this is only the beginning. The BOM has warned that Saturday is expected to bring the peak of this dangerous weather event, as a surface trough moves across the state, creating a highly unstable atmosphere. That instability is fueling what meteorologists describe as “perfect conditions” for more supercell storms, which could continue through the weekend and into early next week.
Weatherzone’s extended forecast paints a similar picture. A multi-day outbreak of severe thunderstorms is expected to hit both Queensland and New South Wales, stretching from Thursday through Tuesday. A series of upper-level troughs will keep the air unstable, meaning frequent storms, lightning, and heavy rainfall are likely. By early next week, a major rainband is forecast to sweep across eastern Australia, bringing widespread rain and strong winds that could affect multiple states.
Residents have already shared dramatic experiences of the storm’s intensity. On the Sunshine Coast, driver Stephanie Hobbs described being caught in the sudden downpour, with hailstones “coming out of nowhere” and hammering her car. She said the hailstones were about five centimetres wide with jagged edges, forcing her to rush home and take cover. “I was screaming because I had my son in the car,” she admitted, relieved that the skies eventually cleared enough for trick-or-treating to resume later in the evening.
Authorities are urging everyone to take these warnings seriously. The State Emergency Service (SES) has advised people to stay indoors, keep cars under shelter, and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary. Windows should be closed and doors secured to protect against wind and hail damage.
With multiple days of storms still ahead, residents across Queensland and northern New South Wales are being reminded to keep an eye on local forecasts, follow official warnings, and stay safe as nature unleashes its power across the region.
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