A SEVERE thunderstorm warning has been issued for Friday afternoon, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting large hail and damaging winds.
BoM forecaster Diana Badie said thunderstorms had started developing by 2pm, and they could hit Brisbane, Maroochydore, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Noosa and Caboolture.
"What we're seeing right now is thunderstorms developing inland of the coast, around about the Sunshine Coast hinterland and also to the east of the Great Dividing Range so near Esk, just to the east of Towoomba as well," she said.
"Given the environment, it is conducive to large hail, so greater than two centimetres, and also damaging wind gusts - we could potentially see wind gusts of 90km/h in these storms.
"We are expecting them to move close to the coast ... It's dependent on how it interacts with the sea breeze, but there's a possibility that we could see a severe thunderstorm in Brisbane this afternoon."
There have been reports of hail hitting Gatton about 2.30pm.
Photos show hail stones covering resident's lawns as the severe storm passed over the Lockyer Valley.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advised people to move their cars under cover or away from trees, secure loose outdoor items, and beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
- Brisbane Times
