Queensland severe storms: giant hail lashes Brisbane–Gold Coast, thousands lose power; more storms possible late today

South-east Queensland is cleaning up after a bruising 24 hours of severe thunderstorms that sprayed giant hail up to 9–10 cm, tore at roofs and cars, and knocked power to thousands of homes from the Darling Downs to the bayside. Emergency crews worked through the night on downed lines, damaged roofs and flooded rooms, with fresh storm chances flagged again for this afternoon and evening.

What hit—and where

• Hail & wind: Supercell storms formed west of the Divide on Saturday afternoon, then marched east through the Darling Downs/Lockyer and into the Brisbane, Ipswich, Redlands, Moreton Bay and Gold Coast districts. Hail reports ranged from golf-ball to softball size in pockets, with destructive wind gusts on the leading edges.

• Damage & injuries: Dozens of SES call-outs were logged for smashed skylights, shredded roofing, and water ingress. A community event in the Somerset region saw multiple hail-related injuries as the cell crossed.

• Power outages: Utility crews reported thousands without power at the peak on Saturday evening across inner-north Brisbane, bayside suburbs and the peninsula, with scattered pockets still waiting on restoration as of Sunday morning. Lines brought down by hail-loaded branches and lightning strikes remain the main hazard.

Today’s forecast at a glance (Sun)

• Brisbane: Top near 29°C; shower or thunderstorm risk late afternoon/evening. Any storm could bring damaging winds, heavy rain and large hail.

• Gold Coast: Warm with late storms possible. Marine conditions freshen into Monday with strong wind warnings for offshore waters.

• Sunshine Coast & hinterland: Hotter inland, with storm risk pushing off the ranges late day.

(Queensland does not observe daylight saving; times below are AEST, UTC+10.)

Why it was so intense

A volatile setup—very warm, humid surface air, strong upper-level winds, and a trigger along the ranges—let storms rotate and grow into supercells, the type most likely to deliver giant hail, destructive gusts and sudden bursts of torrential rain.

What to do if storms redevelop this afternoon

• Prepare the house: Move cars under cover; secure trampolines, outdoor furniture and shade sails.

• Power safety: Treat every fallen wire as live. Keep well clear, call emergency services, then the outage line.

• Hail & wind: Stay indoors and away from windows. If caught driving, pull over under solid shelter; avoid trees and floodways.

• Flash flooding: Never drive through floodwater. It can rise quickly under slow-moving cells.

• Pets & livestock: Shelter early; hailstorms are loud and disorienting for animals.

If your power is out

• Switch off sensitive appliances; leave one light on so you know when supply returns.

• Keep fridge/freezer closed; most freezers hold safe temperatures for ~24–48 hours if unopened.

• Log the outage via the utility’s outage finder and check for estimated restoration times.

• After power returns, inspect for water-affected wiring or appliances before use.

Fire & smoke

A smattering of grass and bush fires flared on storm outflows and lightning strikes, but air quality across the metro early Sunday was generally in the “good–fair” range. That can change quickly with new fire activity, wind shifts or further storms kicking up debris—those with respiratory conditions should keep reliever medication handy and follow health guidance if smoke increases.

Travel, sport and events

• Roads: Expect debris on secondary routes—branches, shattered leaves and hail sludge can make surfaces slick.

• Public transport: Localised delays are possible where overheads or signals were affected.

• Airports: Occasional weather holds are possible if cells rebuild near the corridor late day.

• Beach & marine: Building northerlies Monday will make for choppy seas; storms can produce sudden squalls, sharp wind shifts and dangerous lightning. Small craft should keep a weather eye and plan early returns.

Timeline recap

• Sat early afternoon: First storms fire on the Downs; giant hail reported around Pratten/Clifton/Nobby.

• Late afternoon–evening: Cells intensify east of the range, with damaging hail and destructive gusts in parts of the Somerset, Ipswich and Brisbane districts. Peak power outages recorded.

• Overnight: Cleanup and restorations continue; further showers and lightning drift across coastal fringe.

• Sun morning: Most warnings ease; renewed risk flagged for late Sun with another trough and lingering instability.

Practical checklist before 3 p.m.

• Park vehicles under cover, clear gutters and downpipes near entryways.

• Charge phones, torches and power banks; check battery radios.

• Photograph any damage for insurance before temporary repairs.

• Refill water containers and place towels near doorways if your roof took hail.

• Bring in pets; locate carriers and leads.

Key signals that warrant immediate action

• Severe or “very dangerous” thunderstorm warnings for your district.

• Radar showing hooked or splitting cells approaching your suburb.

• Reports of giant hail or destructive winds in upstream towns along the storm track.

• Rapid darkening, growing anvil cloud, and a sharp temperature drop.

Looking ahead

Storm chances persist into Monday and mid-week as heat and humidity rebuild. Coastal waters trend windier Monday with fresh to strong northerlies; inland heat will prime another round of afternoon convection on Tuesday. Keep your severe-weather notifications on and refresh the forecast through the day—this pattern evolves quickly.

South-east Queensland just absorbed a classic early-season outbreak—giant hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and outages—with a renewed storm window late today. Clean up if it’s safe, prep early, and stay weather-aware through the afternoon.