Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, North West, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Channel Country, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Peninsula Forecast Districts.

Issued at 6:56 pm Thursday, 18 January 2024.

Severe thunderstorms across the south and southeast as well as over the tropical north.

Weather situation: A trough is moving over southern Queensland with a very moist tropical airmass in place. Severe thunderstorms have formed this afternoon and should continue to develop and spread further east throughout the evening. Another trough is producing slow-moving severe storms across the wet tropics.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands district. Locations which may be affected include Mareeba, Mossman and Julatten.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, North West, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego and Peninsula districts. Locations which may be affected include Mount Isa, Cairns, Port Douglas, Windorah, and Redlynch.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett and Maranoa and Warrego districts. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Maroochydore, Gympie, Kingaroy, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, Coolangatta and Ipswich.

Significant observations:

52mm in the 1hr to 5:27pm at Dalby

42mm in the 30mins to 5:00pm at Goombungee

50mm in the 30mins to 4:24pm at Barongarook

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* 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.