Queensland could cop its first severe storms of the wet season on Tuesday, with isolated thunderstorms predicted across the south-east, but the rainfall is unlikely to be enough to make a significant difference to bushfires burning in the region.
The storms are forecast to develop across the Darling Downs bringing isolated heavy rainfall and damaging winds.
The Queensland Fire Department is concerned for four properties in the path of bushfires near Murphy’s Creek. Queensland Fire Department
There is the possibility of large hail at Brisbane and the Gold Coast in the early afternoon and north to the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay and Burnett in the evening, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The storm activity could persist for several days, moving as far north as Townsville by Thursday.
“It is the first severe thunderstorms that we’ve seen this wet season,” Shane Kennedy from the Bureau of Meteorology said.
“These severe thunderstorms will be fairly isolated, so we’re not looking at a particularly widespread or high-end type of day,” he added.
Parts of southern and central Queensland, including parts of the south-east, experienced an unusually dry September, and forecasters don’t expect these storms to bring a widespread soaking.
Modest totals of 5-15mm on average, up to 20-50mm in some areas, are forecast for Tuesday.
Any rain will be a welcome reprieve for firefighters battling two out-of-control blazes in the Lockyer Valley, however, with storms comes the risk that high winds will exacerbate fire conditions and dry lightning strikes can start new blazes.
Smoke from out-of-control bushfires in the Lockyer Valley. Queensland Fire Department
About 100 fire personnel have been battling the two blazes near Murphy’s Creek since last week and expect they will merge.
The fires have burned through a combined 1600 hectares and crews have serious concerns for four properties over the next 24 hours.
Across the rest of the country, parts of Victoria and South Australia can expect isolated showers as a cold front moves through.
Tasmania will receive widespread showers with a risk of small hail and even snow in some parts.
Western Australia will be mostly dry except for some showers and storms across the Gascoyne region.
The Northern Territory will be mostly dry and sunny with some showers through the Kimberley and the western Top End.
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