Ace Breaking News – More storms forecast for south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, bringing heavy rainfall and risk of flash flooding
Widespread storms are forecast for much of central and eastern Australia after south-east Queenslanders were treated to a spectacular lightning display last night.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is warning severe storms are likely in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, and possible for Western Australia’s interior, south-west parts of the Northern Territory and large parts of South Australia.
The BOM warned there could be a risk of flash flooding on outback highways in inland parts of the country, but heavy rain was more likely on the east coast.
Last night a storm ended days of heat in south-east Queensland, with BOM senior meteorologist Pieter Claassen saying the chances of more severe weather would last until later this week.
“We do see the storm risk continue mid-to-late this week, but the heavy rainfall should drop off by Wednesday, so it could be a few more days of quite wet weather,” senior meteorologist Pieter Claassen said.
Storms are forecast on Monday and Tuesday for Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, and parts of inland southern Queensland.
The storm over Brisbane River on Sunday. (Supplied: Stephen O’Kane)normal
A potentially severe storm could bring large hail and damaging winds on Wednesday.
Temperatures are expected to be lower than last week, with the mercury hovering around 30 for most regions in the south-east.
Mr Claassen said the storm activity is expected to shift northwards by Friday at the latest.
Lightning strikes at Roma on Sunday. (Supplied: Alexis Murdoch)normal
But the hot weather will continue for northern and western parts of Queensland with low to extreme heatwave warnings active until at least Wednesday.
Maximum daytime temperatures in the north-west and the far north are expected to top 40 degrees.
Fire danger ratings remain for the Central West, North West and Channel Country through the week.
Lighting up the skies
More than 120,000 lightning strikes were recorded during Sunday’s storms, which cut power to nearly 20,000 homes.
A spokesperson for Energex said most have had power restored.
Lightning strike seen over the Brisbane River. (Supplied: Geoff Spencer)normal
Mr Claassen said the storm brought a good soaking to most of the south-east.
“We saw scattered to widespread falls in that 20-to-60-millimetre range across the area’s impacted and we saw some gusty winds come through with those storms as well.”
The Ipswich region received the heaviest downpours with Rosewood recording 78mm of rain in just 30 minutes and 81mm overall.
Bahrs Scrub at Beenleigh copped 56mm in the same time.Loading…
Carneys Creek in the Scenic Rim reported the highest rainfall, with 90mm recorded by Monday morning.
Gusts of up to 72 kilometres per hour were recorded at Dalby and at Amberley near Ipswich.
There were 55 requests for the State Emergency Service overnight, mostly in Ipswich and Brisbane, a police spokesperson said.
A lightning strike forced thousands of concertgoers to evacuate the outdoor Riverstage venue in Brisbane where Canadian pop singer Tate McRae was set to perform.
The audience was told to shelter at nearby QUT and the show continued after 8:30pm.
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