Brisbane Storms Today: Giant Hail, Power Outages and Fresh Weather Warnings for South-East Queensland

Severe thunderstorms hammered Brisbane and parts of south-east Queensland today (Monday, October 27), unleashing giant hail, destructive wind gusts and bursts of torrential rain that downed trees and powerlines. By late morning, tens of thousands of customers in the greater Brisbane area had been affected by power outages at some point, with crews working through tangled lines and fallen branches to restore supply as further cells threaten to redevelop this afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms in Brisbane: what happened and what’s next

A volatile mix of deep moisture, a sharp wind change and strong upper-level support primed the region for supercell development. As storms erupted west of the ranges and rolled toward the coast, Brisbane endured repeated lightning barrages, pockets of very heavy rainfall and damaging winds that toppled trees onto roads and homes. Multiple reports of large to giant hail accompanied the most intense cores.

The national weather agency signalled the risk early and issued successive severe thunderstorm warnings for damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall. While some warnings were later cancelled as the morning line weakened, forecasters cautioned that additional severe cells could redevelop into the afternoon and evening as boundaries interact over the city and bayside. Treat any new warnings as time-critical; storm behaviour can escalate in minutes.

Hail in Brisbane: size, timing and impacts

Residents reported hail ranging from marble-sized to several centimetres across in the hardest-hit pockets north and west of the CBD, with widespread leaf-shredding indicating intense downdrafts. Vehicle damage and smashed skylights were common near the most robust updrafts. Because hail swaths are narrow, damage can vary street to street—one suburb may cop giant hail while a neighbouring area sees only heavy rain.

Signs you may be under a hail core

• Sudden temperature drop and gust front arrival

• Low, greenish light and roaring rain curtains

• Rapid radar intensification directly overhead

If you are driving as another storm approaches, seek solid cover; do not shelter beneath trees during lightning.

Power outages across Brisbane: restoration and safety

Storm-driven outages surged overnight and into the morning as lines came down across western and southern corridors. Restoration priorities focus first on life safety (wires down, critical infrastructure), then on repairing feeders that bring the most customers back online. Individual street-by-street fixes take longer once the backbone is restored.

Outage safety checklist

• Assume any fallen line is live; stay at least 8–10 metres away.

• Keep pets and children clear of puddles near electrical equipment.

• If a line lands on your vehicle, remain inside, call for help and wait for crews.

• Use torches, not candles; operate generators outdoors, well away from doors and windows.

• Unplug sensitive appliances to protect against power surges when supply returns.

Expect partial restoration throughout the day as crews locate faults and replace damaged hardware. Dense vegetation and access issues can slow progress, especially after multiple cells pass the same corridor.

Brisbane weather radar and what to watch this afternoon

The Brisbane rain radar showed classic bowing segments and embedded rotating cells as storms crossed the urban area. Keep an eye out for new explosive echoes west and northwest of the city; these can intensify rapidly as they encounter sea-breeze boundaries. Even if warnings are briefly cancelled, conditions remain favourable for redevelopment.

Radar reading tips

• Hooked or comma-shaped echoes can indicate rotating updrafts with large hail risk.

• Tight, purple-white cores often correlate with severe hail and destructive downdrafts.

• Fast-moving bowing lines suggest damaging straight-line winds along the leading edge.

Weather warnings for Brisbane and south-east Queensland

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning may be reissued at short notice if fresh cells form. Impacts to monitor include:

• Damaging wind gusts of 90 km/h or higher

• Large to giant hail (2–7 cm possible in isolated supercells)

• Very heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding

• Dangerous lightning with frequent cloud-to-ground strikes

If you live in low-lying or flood-prone areas, clear drains now and avoid driving through water. Conditions can degrade quickly under slow-moving cells.

Travel, schools and events

Morning clean-up caused delays on key arterials where trees blocked lanes and signals lost power. Some schools and childcare services reported closures or limited operations during debris removal. Outdoor events should have a shelter plan and be ready to pause or cancel if lightning is detected within 10 km. Check local advisories before travelling; schedules are subject to change while restorations continue.

How to prepare for the next Brisbane storm

• Park vehicles under sturdy cover; move outdoor furniture and trampolines indoors.

• Secure bins and loose items that can become airborne.

• Charge phones and power banks; keep a battery radio handy.

• Photograph damage for insurance only when it’s safe.

• Refill medications and keep a small kit with water, snacks and first-aid supplies.

Brisbane storms today

Brisbane is not out of the woods yet. While the morning line weakened, the atmosphere remains primed for additional severe thunderstorms through late afternoon and evening. Stay weather-aware, monitor official warnings, and treat any return of giant hail, damaging winds or sudden deluges as a prompt to move to a sturdy shelter. Power restoration will continue in waves; patience and safety around fallen trees and lines are essential as crews work their way across the city.