South-east Queensland is bracing for a potential tornado and severe thunderstorms as a devastating weather cell moves closer to the area.
Thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Ipswich, Somerset, the Lockyer Valley and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland for this weekend.
The most severe thunderstorm warning is currently in place for parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts.
Damaging winds, heavy rain and large hail are currently moving north-east from Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast towards Noosa Heads.
The storm is also moving through Eumundi to Tewantin and around Moore and Linville in the Somerset Region.
Helidon to Gatton, Grantham, Linville, Laidley, Grandchester and Mulgowie are also in the storm’s path.
Severe thunderstorms are coming to parts of eastern Queensland
The worst areas impacted by the supercell may endure it for up to six days, Weatherzone reports
The storms could last for up to six days, Weatherzone Meteorologist Ben Domensino said.
Mr Domensino warned the storm would be at its most intense on Saturday.
‘Storms could develop early in the morning over eastern parts of NSW and Queensland on Saturday, before becoming more widespread and intense during the afternoon into the evening,’ Mr Domensino said.
‘Saturday’s storms will be most active between central eastern Qld and central NSW, which could include both Brisbane and Sydney.
‘Supercell thunderstorms are possible on Saturday, and isolated tornadoes can’t be ruled out.’
The thunderstorms are the result of an upper-level trough which may culminate in several days of rain.
The downpour will most likely impact parts across central, eastern and southeastern Australia early next week.
These latest storms come just days after the same state was hit by golf-size hailstones which knocked greater Brisbane off the power grid for almost a full day
On Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology warned millions to brace for supercell storms that bring the risk of isolated tornadoes over the next 24 hours.
Seven severe storms have either already passed through the area or are currently moving throughout the Southeast.
So far more than 8,000 homes have been left without power for varying amounts of time as the state’s power grid continues to get hammered by the weather.
