Posted: 2023-02-14 05:10:16

Several severe thunderstorm cells have hit parts of south-east Queensland this afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said throughout the afternoon several severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Brisbane CBD, Logan, Strathpine, Redcliffe, northern Bribie Island, the area north-east of Kingaroy, the area north-west of Toowoomba and Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales.

A bolt of lightning seen hitting Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast
A lightning strike in Maroochydore on Tuesday afternoon. (ABC News: Jessica Ross)

Large hailstones have been observed near Toowoomba. Hail up to 3 centimetres was reported at Highfields and 5cm at Kingsthorpe.

Thousands of Energex customers across Brisbane, Logan and the Sunshine Coast were left without power from the storm, with emergency repairs being carried out in several locations.

The bureau warned more storms are developing with the threat of flash flooding and heavy rain.

It advised that damaging winds and large hailstones are also likely.

Mt Coot-tha in Brisbane's inner west received 46 millimetres in 30 minutes and 62mm in one hour.

About 54mm of rain was recorded at Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland in the hour to 2:15pm.

A storm cloud rolling over Kings Beach
A storm cloud rolling like a wave over Kings Beach at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.(Supplied: Sabine Wasser)

BOM forecaster Felim Hannify said storms were likely to continue through into Tuesday evening.

"The primary hazard is going to be heavy rainfall," he said.

"Damaging winds and large winds are considered a lower risk.

"We could see isolated falls under some of the severe storm, activity of 50 to 100mm wouldn't be out of the question."

Several flights departing from Brisbane Airport have been delayed due to lightning in the area.

Two Qantas flights to Sydney, and one to Perth have been delayed, while flights to Gladstone and Rockhampton have been cancelled.

A Brisbane Airport spokesperson said operations will be impacted for as long as the lightning threat exists close to the airport.

Mr Hannify said the storms should bring down temperatures.

"It's driven by a trough that's lingered over the south-east now but that trough is going to move north during today and it's going to bring a pronounced south-easterly change behind it so that's going to cool things off over the south east," he said.

"For the south-east, it looks like with this change coming through, it's going to bring fresher conditions behind it.

"Generally stabilised conditions … temperatures refreshing back into the high 20s so a bit of a reprieve for most people in comparison to the recent very hot conditions."

Storm clouds gather over Kings Beach at Caloundra
Storm clouds over Kings Beach at Caloundra.(Supplied: Debbie Norbury)
Rain and storms over central Brisbane from Coorparoo
Storms over central Brisbane, from Coorparoo.(Supplied: Saldie Resolado)
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