Storms roll across south-east as state braces for potential cyclone

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 3 years ago

Storms roll across south-east as state braces for potential cyclone

By Stuart Layt and Tony Moore

Storms lashed parts of south-east Queensland on Saturday afternoon, dumping heavy rain, and even disrupting play at the cricket Test at the Gabba.

The bureau had warned of dangerous conditions for storms on Saturday, and storm cells formed west of Ipswich about 2pm.

Rain clouds gather over play on day two of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Gabba on Saturday.

Rain clouds gather over play on day two of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Gabba on Saturday.Credit: AP Photo/Tertius Pickard

A number of separate cells then rolled across the region, dumping 37 millimetres on Brisbane's CBD and surrounds in a little over an hour.

The predicted hail did not show up in most areas, with the downpour mostly just seeing heavy rain quickly pass over affected areas.

The downpour suspended play between Australia and India in the Test at the Gabba for over an hour as rain drenched the pitch, with play eventually abandoned for the day.

By about 5pm the storm cells had mostly moved out over Moreton Bay after dumping rain on an area from Kilcoy to the Gold Coast.

It came as a tropical cyclone was likely in north Queensland from Monday, said the bureau’s Matt Marshall.

"Severe thunderstorms are possible about south-east Queensland on Saturday afternoon and evening, with the potential to bring large hail, damaging wind and heavy rainfall," Mr Marshall said.

Advertisement

The hot, steamy conditions will intensify over the weekend, he said.

"Heatwave conditions will develop broadly across the state this weekend. Severe heatwave conditions will affect north-western parts of the state, including Mount Isa, while low-intensity conditions will affect inland parts of the south-east, Wide Bay and Burnett, and the central interior regions."

Heavy rainfall at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday.

Heavy rainfall at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday.Credit: Lydia Lynch

There are several possible scenarios at play for the development of the low, he said.

"There is currently a low chance of the system developing into a tropical cyclone later this weekend," he said.

Before then, conditions are expected to ease in south-east Queensland, with Brisbane expecting a partly cloudy day with a cooler top of 29 degrees.

Most Viewed in National

Loading