Severe Supercell Storm Warning Issued for Northern NSW and Queensland.

Eastern Australia is on high alert as the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned residents in New South Wales and Queensland about severe thunderstorms brewing in the area. These storms could bring intense weather conditions like damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall, which might even lead to flash flooding.

Thunderstorms are expected across much of the eastern region, but areas in southeast Queensland and northeast NSW are particularly likely to see severe conditions from mid-afternoon into the evening. Queensland weather presenter Tony Auden explained that upper-atmosphere activity is making conditions ripe for these intense storms. “Today promises to see some more potentially destructive cells in southeast Queensland,” he said. "The wind in the upper atmosphere is adding the extra ingredients to make them spicy."

BOM shared that a combination of a moist air mass along the east coast and a surface trough is setting up an unstable environment perfect for storm formation. An upper-atmospheric disturbance is also increasing the chances of supercells, which are especially dangerous storms capable of producing destructive winds over 125km/h and hail larger than 5cm in diameter.

Auden mentioned that the storms will likely start inland early in the afternoon and quickly move toward the coast by late afternoon and evening. He advised people to stay alert, especially in areas from the Sunshine Coast and Kingaroy down through the Darling Downs and far northern NSW, including towns like Casino, Ballina, and Byron Bay.

Lismore is also in the zone for these potentially dangerous supercells, though it depends on where exactly the storms form. BOM meteorologist Jonathan How added that if you’re directly under one of these supercells, you could see 50-100mm of rain in an hour, which can quickly flood creeks and rivers.

Because the ground is already soaked from recent storms, any heavy rainfall increases the risk of flash flooding. BOM is working closely with emergency departments in both NSW and Queensland, providing constant updates and advice as these storms develop. So, if you’re in these areas, keep an eye on the radar and BOM alerts this afternoon and evening.