Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:05 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.

Severe thunderstorms continuing over parts of the southeast this afternoon.

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.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Theodore.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Ipswich, Gatton, Yarraman, Laidley, Lowood and Nanango.

44 mm of rainfall was recorded at Upper Western Creek in the 30 minutes to 4:52 pm.

55 mm of rainfall was recorded at Forest Hill in the 30 minutes to 4:49 pm.

53 mm of rainfall was recorded at McGarrigal Road (south of Laidley) in the 30 minutes to 4:30 pm.

60mm of rainfall was recorded at Mulgowie Road (south of Laidley) in the 30 minutes to 4:27 pm.

48 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mt Berryman Road in the 30 minutes to 4:25 pm.

49 mm of rainfall was recorded at Campbells Gully (Warwick) in the 30 minutes to 3:01 pm.

51 mm of rainfall was recorded at Seven Oaks in 40 minutes to 2:31 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.