Image: Thunderstorm in Auvergne (France) and lightning.  [iStock: Credit:Wirestock]

Aside from an outbreak of severe thunderstorms across the Sunshine Coast and inland Hinterland, and the Moreton Bay area to the northeast of Brisbane on Sunday 12^th October, the start of this month has seen very dry and stable weather conditions across southeast Queensland. This is about to change during this afternoon and evening.

An outbreak of thunderstorms is forecast to develop across southeast Queensland with the potential for some severe storms developing about the NSW-Qld border and the Gold Coast around mid-afternoon and then tracking northwards and finally passing over the Sunshine Coast in the early evening.

Temperatures during the afternoon are expected to climb into the low to mid 30’s further inland from the coast which will experience cooler temperatures with an E/NE seabreeze. Modest humidity levels coupled with the hot afternoon temperatures will generate some thunderstorms across the Darling Downs early to mid-afternoon as cumulonimbus towers become visible towards the west from the major population areas nearer to the coast. This thunderstorm activity is a lower threat for the major population centres nearer the coast.

It will be towards the south where eyes will be watching later in the afternoon. A line of thunderstorms is expected to develop on a southerly wind change moving northwards along the NSW's coast and the inland ranges during the afternoon. Severe thunderstorms on the change are possible mid-afternoon across the northeast NSW ranges.

As the southerly change enters southeast Queensland, it is expected to encounter a highly unstable airmass, primed by the build-up of heat and modest humidity levels during the afternoon.

This boost in instability is likely to enhance one to two thunderstorms along the change, transforming them into potentially severe thunderstorms with accompanying large hail and damaging wind gusts.

Be vigilant and alert to any updated warnings during the afternoon and evening

For the latest information regarding severe weather warnings for southeast Queensland and northeast NSW, access the Weatherzone App

on IOS or Android,

or online (URL)                 https://www.weatherzone.com.au/warnings