Storms hit southern Queensland bringing hail, spectacular lightning and heavy rain

A pile of hail stacked up at a house at Centenary Heights. Photo: Grace Lawrence
Parts of southern Queensland have been pelted with hailstones and heavy rain overnight in storms that brought 60 millimetres of rainfall in one hour.
A number of severe storms formed west of Brisbane about 7:00pm, hitting Toowoomba, north of Warwick and Allora as they quickly moved towards the coast.
Hail of up to 4 centimetres in diameter was recorded.

Hail stones in a hand at Newtown in the Toowoomba region after storms last night. Photo: Jen Ty Bowes
There is a chance again today of more severe storms in south-east Queensland, after the region was lashed by storms earlier this week.
Storm activity is expected to ease from Thursday when a trough and upper trough are likely to move offshore during the morning.
A ridge of high pressure will strengthen across the state in their wake, with mostly sunny conditions almost statewide.

Hail on the front lawn of a house at Centenary Heights in Toowoomba. Photo: Kym Bailey

Lightning strike during the storm at Preston. Photo: Joel Dobson

Hail on the ground at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. Photo: Louise Bryant
–ABC