URGENT UPDATE: Brisbane residents are bracing for potentially severe storms this weekend, as the Bureau of Meteorology warns of damaging winds and large hail. A strong weather system is expected to impact the region on Saturday, with a “high chance” of thunderstorms developing by the afternoon and evening.
Senior forecaster Baden Gilbert emphasizes that the storm risk extends across much of the south-east Queensland, from coastal areas to the western outskirts near Toowoomba and as far north as Rainbow Beach. The forecast indicates that the most severe conditions may hit areas such as Boonah, Beaudesert, and through the Lockyer Valley, including Ipswich, Kilcoy, and Esk.
“There is a risk of very dangerous thunderstorms, with destructive wind gusts and giant hail not impossible,” cautioned Gilbert. As the storm system approaches, residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for potential disruptions.
The unsettled weather is attributed to a trough moving across the state’s southern interior, expected to cross the south-east late on Saturday. Gilbert noted the potential for heavy rainfall if conditions align perfectly, although moisture levels are currently lower than usual.
After the storms pass, the trough is projected to move off the coast by Sunday morning, but there could still be isolated thunderstorms along the coastal fringe. Following this turbulent weekend, the forecast reveals a shift to drier conditions, with temperatures forecasted to rise significantly later in the week. Gilbert predicts highs of 35 degrees Celsius in Brisbane and 39 degrees Celsius in Ipswich by Thursday.
Residents are advised to stay updated on the weather situation as it develops and to prepare for possible impacts on their weekend plans. The situation remains fluid, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
