Severe Storms Threaten South-East Queensland as Extreme Heat Grips Gulf Country

South-east Queensland is bracing for a return of severe weather this week, with meteorologists warning of damaging winds, heavy downpours, and large hail following a weekend of destructive supercells.

While Monday provided a brief respite with mostly fine conditions, the Bureau of Meteorology indicates that atmospheric instability will escalate significantly on Tuesday. The incoming storms threaten major population and agricultural centers, including the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Darling Downs.

Senior meteorologist Steve Hadley noted that November marks the height of the regional storm season. “Over the next few days, thunderstorm risk continues over many parts of Queensland,” Mr. Hadley said. “In fact, it ramps up over south-eastern parts of the state on Tuesday. We’re looking at more widespread thunderstorms and some more possibly severe storms.”

Forecasters warn that the afternoon weather systems could pack damaging winds, heavy rainfall capable of triggering flash floods, and large hail. These hazards are of particular concern given the saturated ground conditions resulting from heavy downpours across parts of the region over the preceding two weeks.

The impending weather follows a weekend onslaught that saw severe storm cells sweep across the Darling Downs. On Sunday afternoon, residents in Millmerran, located about 200 kilometers west of Brisbane, reported hailstones measuring 5 centimeters in diameter around 3:40 pm. Shortly before 5 pm, hailstones ranging between 2 and 4 centimeters were recorded at Blackbutt, roughly 165 kilometers north-west of Brisbane, alongside similar reports of large ice accumulations in nearby Yandilla.

Despite the severity of Sunday’s storms, the Darling Downs escaped widespread major structural damage. Following Tuesday’s weather system, temperatures in the south-east are projected to climb steadily, with Brisbane’s maximum temperature expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius by Thursday.

While the south-east braces for storms and rising humidity, northern and western Queensland are enduring sweltering heatwave conditions. The weather bureau has issued severe heatwave warnings for the Peninsula and Gulf country, including communities such as Kowanyama and Weipa, where conditions are classified as extreme.

Maximum temperatures are expected to linger in the high 30s throughout the week, culminating in 40C readings by Thursday. Mount Isa’s seven-day forecast indicates continuous 40C daily maximums accompanied by overnight lows of 23C.

“It’s pretty hot for them at this time of year,” Mr. Hadley said, noting that far-western temperatures are tracking up to 8 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages. Meanwhile, temperatures elsewhere in the state remain slightly elevated above normal, excepting the cloud-veiled south-east.

Simultaneously, separate meteorological modelling suggests that Australia’s upcoming tropical cyclone season could emerge as one of the quietest on record.