Current Tracking Description At 4:15 pm, thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Toowoomba, the area north of Toowoomba, the area south of Toowoomba and the area southeast of Warwick. They are forecast to affect Helidon, Hampton and Haden by 4:30 pm and Gatton, Mulgowie and Crows Nest by 4:45 pm. TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND for DAMAGING WIND For people in the Lockyer Valley and parts of the Ipswich, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs and Toowoomba Council Areas. Issued at 3:50 pm Thursday, 18 December 2014. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:50 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Warwick and the area southwest of Toowoomba. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect Toowoomba and the area south of Toowoomba by 4:20 pm and Laidley, Gatton and the area southwest of Esk by 4:50 pm. Damaging winds are likely. A 93km/h wind gust was recorded at Oakey at 3:40pm. An 89km/h wind gust was recorded at Wellcamp Airport at 3:35pm. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should: * Move your car under cover or away from trees. * Secure loose outdoor items. * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees. * Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm. * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. The next warning is due to be issued by 4:50 pm. A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Southeast Coast and parts of the Gulf Country, Northwest, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureaus website at bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 06:16:55 +0000