Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Darling Downs and Granite Belt and parts of Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:30 pm Wednesday, 9 October 2024.

Severe thunderstorms developing over parts of southern and central Queensland.

Weather Situation: A surface trough extends from the central highlands area southwards through the southern inland of Queensland. A moist and unstable airmass is in place to the east of this trough. Strong winds in the upper atmosphere provided by an approaching upper level trough will assist this storm activity, and likely lead to some severe storms this afternoon.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce large, possibly giant hailstones and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Capricornia districts. Locations which may be affected include Dalby, Taroom, Injune, Chinchilla, Miles and Tara.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones over the next several hours in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and parts of the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Southeast Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Dalby, Roma, Biloela, Blackwater, Oakey, Taroom, Monto, Baralaba, Moura and Tara.

7cm hailstones observed north of Injune around 1:20PM AEST.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Stay away from windows if there is giant hail.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.