Wild thunderstorms have battered South East Queensland, unleashing massive hailstones, fierce winds, and causing flash floods and power outages. Hundreds of residents lost electricity, and the destruction affected both homes and businesses.
The severe weather began around 1 p.m. near towns south of Toowoomba. Some hailstones reached up to 9cm (3.54in) in diameter—comparable to golf balls smashing through roofs and damaging cars. The Queensland State Emergency Service responded quickly, handling 75 requests for assistance in the South Western and Eastern Downs. Most residents needed repairs for broken windows, damaged skylights, or roofs and gutters battered by the storm. Others dealt with flooding or water seeping into their homes.
Beautiful hail in a beautiful location this Sunday Evening
— RenderNature (@RenderNature) July 6, 2025
📍Mudgee, NSW, Australia
🔊+++ for better hail experience
📸: Love Living in Mudgee pic.twitter.com/3PzSUpZe8c
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Cherbourg, Ipswich, Gympie, Logan, Somerset, Southern Downs, South Burnett, Toowoomba, Redland, Noosa, the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Moreton Bay, and Lockyer Valley. Meteorologists warned of winds exceeding 100 km/h (62 mph), flash flooding, and the possibility of tornadoes in the most intense areas.
“This thunderstorm is very dangerous,” the BOM cautioned. “Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.” Residents were urged to secure loose items, move vehicles away from trees, and avoid contact with fallen powerlines.
Australia’s storm season has shifted into top gear, with the next 72 hours expected to deliver a combination of rain, showers, and thunderstorms to the eastern two-thirds of the country. Today poses the greatest threat of severe weather, particularly across south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales.
Dangerous supercell thunderstorms—the least common but most severe type of storm—are forecast to form. Supercells feature a deep rotating updraft, which can produce giant hail, destructive winds exceeding 125 km/h(78mph), torrential rain, and even tornadoes. While ordinary storms last under an hour, supercells can travel hundreds of kilometres and persist for up to six hours.
BOM meteorologists note that the most violent supercells are likely west of Ipswich, north of Armidale, and around Toowoomba and Warwick, with a specific risk of tornadoes in inland south-east Queensland.
Supercells can often be identified on radar by:
- Large, isolated storm cells with intense reflectivity (heavy rain or hail)
- V-shaped or hook-like signatures near the storm core
- Rotation patterns visible in cloud structure
Severe thunderstorms have reached their peak today, but the risk continues through Sunday. While wind shear is dropping off somewhat—making supercells less likely—it’s still important not to let your guard down just yet.
Beautiful shelf cloud passing through Brisbane Australia, Heavy thunderstorm ⛈️
— ChaseWithHam (@Ham_BklynWx) November 1, 2025
#qldwx #Australia pic.twitter.com/utEecSfO2b
Over the weekend, a substantial cloudband is developing over South Australia. This system is set to deliver up to a month’s worth of rain across southeast Australia by early next week. Cities such as Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, and Melbourne are all expected to receive a moderate soaking.
The rainband stretches from the Northern Territory and tropical Queensland all the way down to Tasmania. Most areas won’t experience severe weather, but certain locations—particularly in southern and central Victoria, Tasmania, southeast New South Wales, eastern South Australia, and the central slopes and ranges of New South Wales—could see rainfall totals exceeding 20 mm (0.79 in).
Later in the week, another low-pressure system is forecast to move in, drawing wet weather over to Western Australia by Thursday. By that point, nearly every region will have experienced some rain.
There is some good news: conditions are expected to settle by Friday morning. Skies will begin to clear, although winds may linger. This break in the weather will be welcome, especially with the New York City Marathon and Halloween weekend just ahead.
