A CHRISTMAS miracle in the form of rain has brought much needed relief to drought affected parts of south-east Queensland, topping up water tanks and bringing lawns back to life.
A line of thunderstorms that swept through the region on Christmas Eve dumped 15.8mm on the Redlands, 23mm on Logan and 42mm on Beaudesert.
The Weather Bureau issued severe thunderstorm warnings as the band intensified, bringing an early Christmas present to Beaudesert locals who had gone several months without rain.
About 25mm fell within the first 30 minutes of the storm's arrival, the most rain the Scenic Rim had seen since March when 84mm fell within 24 hours.
It was a special surprise for the children who had asked local Santa Claus Keith Reinke to bring rain for Christmas to help the Scenic Rim escape crippling drought.
Their wishes were answered with another 3mm on Christmas night, while Logan and the Redlands copped 6mm and 10.8mm respectively when the heavens opened for the second day in a row.
The Weather Bureau expects rain to ease over the coming days, with temperatures predicted to reach the early thirties in the Redlands and Logan next week.
The mercury is expected to top 37 degrees in Beaudesert on Wednesday.
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