Weather News

Southern Qld on severe storm alert

The weather bureau has issued a severe thunderstorm warning across southern Queensland this afternoon.

It covers the Darling Downs and Granite Belt, the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett and the Maranoa and Warrego.

Storms could produce damaging winds, hail, heavy rain and flash-flooding over the next few hours.

There is also a warning for the south-east. Storms are likely to affect Bundamba, Greenbank and Redbank Plains.

Residents are advised to take the necessary precautions.

Meanwhile the bureau says a severe thunderstorm heading towards Esk, north-west of Brisbane, is expected to drop large hailstones and heav yrain.

Forecaster Michael Knepp says the storm is moving north and was due to hit Esk a short time ago, and areas west of Kilcoy and Lake Somerset by about 6:30pm AEST.

He says while the storm did not cause any damage when it hit Gatton about an hour ago, residents living in and around Esk should take precautions.

"It did pass over Gatton as a very dangerous storm with pretty good sized hail and some good rainfall," he said.

"It has weakened and we expect it to weaken further before it gets to Esk."


- ABC

© ABC 2008

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