News Australia: South-East Queensland Battling Second Storm in 12 Hours: Large Hail and Power Outages Reported

 Brisbane: Around midday, a highly potent storm swept through south-east Queensland, marking the second tempest to hit the region within a 12-hour span. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), reports flooded in about sizable hail hitting Dayboro and Burpengary, situated north of Brisbane. Gatton, west of Ipswich, experienced severe conditions once again, with hail measuring up to eight centimeters reported overnight.

Energex noted a staggering 151,000 lightning strikes in just two hours. The aftermath left over 57,500 properties without power across a vast stretch from Moreton Bay to the Gold Coast and further inland from Somerset to the Scenic Rim by 1:30 pm.

Queensland police reported the partial closure of the northbound lane of the Brisbane Valley Highway at Coominya, northwest of Brisbane, due to multiple fallen trees. The storm cell, spanning from the Darling Downs to northern New South Wales, unleashed heavy rain, strong winds, and hail.

Forecasters predict a series of storms affecting eastern Australia until Boxing Day. In New South Wales, the State Emergency Service (SES) urged caution for travelers due to “widespread unsettled weather.” Thunderstorms began across the state and were expected to persist through Boxing Day, covering a vast area from the North West Slopes and Northern Tablelands to the Northern Rivers.

BOM senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy warned that south-east Queensland would bear the brunt of the severe weather on Christmas Eve. He described the anticipated weather as “very showery and stormy,” extending through Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with the potential for severe thunderstorm activity.

Shortly before midday, the BOM’s storm warning encompassed Redland City, Brisbane City, and parts of Logan, Somerset, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, and Ipswich council areas. The Warrego Highway, spanning from Marburg to Toowoomba, experienced heavy rain, while Redcliffe, Brisbane, Logan, and parts of the Gold Coast faced the approaching storm system.