Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall, Large Hailstones And Damaging Winds for Central Highlands and Coalfields and parts of Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central West and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts. Issued at 5:03 pm Friday, 23 October 2026. Severe thunderstorms across central Queensland, isolated in the Darling Downs. Weather Situation Severe thunderstorms are developing over broad parts of the state today, in a moist and unstable airmass. HEAVY RAINFALL, LARGE HAILSTONES and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas: Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Emerald, Clermont, Moranbah, Carnarvon National Park, Gregory Springs, Aberfoyle, Blackwater, Rolleston and Springsure. Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Southeast Coast districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED. 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. Cancellation for the following areas: Maranoa and Warrego,Wide Bay and Burnett,Southeast Coast Emergency services advise people to: * 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. The next warning is due to be issued by 8:05 pm. Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.