Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Peninsula, Gulf Country, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 8:08 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.

Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts over parts of the southeast, and central north Queensland.

Weather Situation: Very warm and humid onshore flow is combining with a trough of low pressure to produce severe thunderstorms over parts of southeast Queensland today. Meanwhile over the central north, persistent thunderstorm activity is producing heavy rainfall and possible damaging wind gusts.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Maroochydore, Gympie, Georgetown, Caboolture, Caloundra and Imbil.

55 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wairuna Road in the 40 mins to 7:39 pm.

65 mm of rainfall was recorded at Upper Caboolture in the 50 mins to 7:14 pm.

47 mm of rainfall was recorded at Reedy Creek in the 30 minutes to 6:03 pm.

46 mm of rainfall was recorded at Hays Landing in the 30 minutes to 5:34 pm.

41 mm of rainfall was recorded at Lowood in the 30 minutes to 5:32 pm.

50 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wivenhoe Dam in the 30 minutes to 5:31 pm.

58 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mt Stradbroke in the 30 minutes to 5:25 pm.

43 mm of rainfall was recorded at Buaraba in the 30 minutes to 5:14 pm.

43 mm of rainfall was recorded at UQ Gatton in the 30 minutes to 5:00 pm.

Emergency services advise people to:
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.