Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Peninsula, Gulf Country, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Central Highlands and Coalfields Forecast Districts.

Issued at 6:51 pm Sunday, 18 January 2026.

INTENSE RAINFALL WITH SEVERE STORMS WEST OF GAYNDAH IN THE SOUTH, HEAVY RAINFALL IN THE TROPICAL NORTH.

Weather Situation: A moist and unstable airmass combines with a trough to produce a line of severe thunderstorms about the southeast interior this evening. In the north, a convergence along the Gulf Country through to the Peninsula district is producing isolated thunderstorms with heavy rainfall this evening.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Central Highlands and Coalfields districts. Locations which may be affected include Gayndah, Monto, Mundubbera and Eidsvold.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Peninsula, Gulf Country, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders districts. Locations which may be affected include Croydon, Palmerville and Blackbull Siding.

62MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT HORSE CREEK IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 5:32 PM.

61MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT TERRAINE IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 11:33 AM.

42mm of rainfall was recorded at Blaxland in the 30 minutes to 3:54 pm.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.