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Brisbane struck by tornado as BOM issues warnings for severe storms

Alex Druce and James HallNCA NewsWire
Not Supplied
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Supplied

Images from the Bureau of Meteorology have captured the moment a tornado struck near Brisbane Airport, as authorities issue further warnings for Friday night.

The airport had already received 91mm since 9am this morning, more than the entire October monthly average for the site, while the BOM had received numerous reports of a rare tornado.

“We can now confirm a tornado occurred during a supercell thunderstorm near Brisbane Airport,” it said on Friday afternoon.

“Video evidence shows the tornado touching down briefly.”

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Bureau of Meteorology said the tornado formed from a supercell thunderstorm near the Brisbane Airport.
Camera IconThe Bureau of Meteorology said the tornado formed from a supercell thunderstorm near the Brisbane Airport. Credit: Supplied

Evidence of the rare weather event comes as Queensland’s southeast braces for further severe storms, with a warning issued from 4pm local time.

BOM said it was expecting “destructive winds, giant hailstones and heavy rainfall” in the southeast from Wide Bay down to the NSW border.

Warnings were also active for the Central Highlands as well as further up into northern Queensland.

Further rain could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones.

Residents are being asked to get their cars under cover and seek shelter.

Friday’s storm continues a run of wild weather for the state, which included record-breaking hail smashing communities near Mackay on Tuesday.

Ice stones measuring 16cm across pelted Yalboroo, north of Mackay, smashing windshields and drawing the attention of international weather watchers.

Giant hail pelted communities north of Mackay.
Camera IconGiant hail pelted communities north of Mackay. Credit: Supplied

The Bureau of Meteorology said it had seen credible footage of hail measuring 16cm in diameter, which would top the previous record of 14cm, set in Brisbane’s southwestern suburbs about the same time last year.

“It’s very impressive – obviously not for the residents underneath it – but some very impressive hail,” senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.

Originally published as Brisbane struck by tornado as BOM issues warnings for severe storms

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