Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Central Highlands and Coalfields and parts of Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central West, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.

Issued at 6:13 pm Friday, 23 October 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE FALLS OVER CENTRAL QUEENSLAND THIS EVENING. ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS OVER THE DARLING DOWNS.

Weather situation: Slow-moving thunderstorms are continuing across parts of the state in a moist and unstable airmass.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields and Central West districts. Locations which may be affected include Emerald, Clermont, Moranbah, Carnarvon National Park, Blackwater and Springsure.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Central Highlands and Coalfields and parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central West, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Emerald, Clermont, Barcaldine, Moranbah, Blackall and Carnarvon National Park.

57mm was recorded at Peak Vale in the 1 hour to 4:45pm.

58 mm was recorded at Mantuan Downs (West) in the 60 min to 4:15pm.

46.0 mm was recorded at Kulmur Range in the 30 minutes to 3:15pm.

49 mm was recorded at Mt Playfair in the 60min to 3:00pm.

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.