STORM CHAOS IMMINENT: Aussies Bracing for “Very Dangerous” Thunderstorms and Giant Hail That Could Wreak Havoc on Weekend Plans
- South East Queensland residents on high alert for potential “very dangerous” thunderstorms bringing giant hail and severe weather
- BoM warns of extreme heat on Monday, with temperatures expected to soar 10-11 degrees above average, sparking fire ban across southeast
- Victoria also on alert, with severe weather warning issued for heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and large hail, and risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma event
Get ready for a wild and potentially “very dangerous” weekend, Australia! Residents of South East Queensland are bracing themselves for the wrath of Mother Nature, as severe thunderstorms and giant hail are expected to smash the region on Sunday.
In a dire warning, the Bureau of Meteorology’s senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said the “unstable” weather was a combination of two troughs, with the first arriving on Sunday. “Storms are coming (Sunday) afternoon and into the evening for South East Queensland, so severe storms are possible,” he cautioned. “There is even an outside chance of some isolated and very dangerous thunderstorms bringing the risk of giant hail.”
The severe weather is expected to bring a welcome cool change to the region, but not before extreme heat sets in on Monday. Hanniffy warned that temperatures could soar 10-11 degrees above average, sparking a fire ban across much of the state’s southeast. “We see a peak in the temperatures in the southeast tomorrow and could be 10 to 11 degrees above average,” he said.
The Queensland Fire Department has issued a fresh alert, warning of “perfect” conditions for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly. A fire ban has been put in place from 1am on Monday through to 11.59pm for residents in the Scenic Rim, Somerset, Ipswich, Logan, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Redland City, and Gold Coast local government areas.
But it’s not just Queensland that’s in for a wild ride. Victoria is also on high alert, with a severe weather warning issued for heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and large hail. The state’s chief health officer has issued an alert warning of a high likelihood of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event.
The wild weather is expected to last only a couple of days, with temperatures cooling by Tuesday. But in the meantime, Aussies are being warned to batten down the hatches and prepare for the worst.
Stay tuned for further updates as this stormy weather system unfolds. In the meantime, make sure to secure any loose outdoor items, park your vehicle undercover, and remember: floodwater is dangerous – never drive through it.