Severe thunderstorms are expected to bring heavy rain and dangerous winds to much of an already soaked Queensland over the next few days.
Parts of north, central and southern Queensland are on flood watch as a low pressure system tracks slowly eastwards.
At 1pm, BOM issued a thunderstorm warning wild winds, heavy rain and large hail for these regions:
“For people in parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Maranoa and Warrego, Gulf Country and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.”
The system is expected to impact as far north as Ayr, down to Mackay and Bundaberg, as well as the south east Queensland corner.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jackson Browne says there is a chance of winds reaching more than 120kilometres an hour and giant-sized hail in some areas.
“These storms will pack a punch, and we do have pretty sodden conditions across Queensland,” Mr Browne says.
“Flash flooding is a real risk with these thunderstorms and may ex ongoing flooding in some of these catchments and rivers.”
Helen Reid, of the bureau of meteorology, says all coastal areas in the state are expected to be hit by some wet weather.
“Capricornia and further north along the coast there – we can expect a thunderstorm or two over the weekend.
“But early next week, we can expect another system to make its way across the coast.”
She says most of the severe weather will hit between Ayr and Bundaberg.
So far, the rain has topped up dams, with 24 millimetres falling at Andergrove in almost 24 hours, while 50 millimetres have been recorded at Dysart.
Storms are likely in Mackay until Saturday, with up to 35 millimetres of rain possible today.
