Hailstones the size of tennis balls have lashed the Sunshine Coast hinterland, as severe thunderstorms batter south-east Queensland.
Imbil and Peachester recieved the brunt of the hail, while parts of the Gold Coast including Mermaid Beach dealt with a deluge of smaller hailstones.
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Senior meteorologist Rick Threlfall said the storm cell over the hinterland was still "very dangerous", and could even continue north as far as Fraser Island.
"We're still quite concerned about that cell," he said.
![The Brisbane CBD copped a soaking when a storm hit south-east Queensland on Wednesday.](/web/20161202041114im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/1/2/7/2/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt1uto.png/1480577707664.jpg)
Meantime the storms further south have eased, and Mr Threlfall said there's a "pretty small" risk of Brisbane being hit with the wild weather.
EARLIER
More wild weather is due to hit south-east Queensland, with a severe storm warnings issued on Thursday afternoon.
The Bureau of Meteorology said very dangerous thunderstorms were detected near Woodford and Mount Mee heading north east, and are forecast to hit the Sunshine Coast hinterland and the Sunshine Coast before 4.30pm.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20161202041114im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2012/03/08/3107499/key1.jpg)
Other severe thunderstorms were detected in the Southern Downs, and were tracking towards Ipswich and Scenic Rim.
The bureau said very large hailstones, damaging wind and heavy rain which could lead to flash flooding are likely.
A more general warning has been issued for the south-east coast and parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt district.
#QLD Golf to tennis ball sized hail has been reported from the #Peachester area. These storms are very dangerous. https://t.co/N59BNlLkjr pic.twitter.com/cw6wonUnxG
— ABC Emergency (@ABCemergency) December 1, 2016
Mr Threlfall said Thursday's high temperatures meant thunderstorms have been developing quickly.
"It certainly got going in the last hour or two," he said.
Storms were not forecast to impact greater Brisbane in the short term, but Mr Threlfall said he expected more to develop in the afternoon.
Summer was off to a wild and hot start with temperatures forecast to hit 39 in inland centres on Friday, and Bureau of Meteorology forecaster David Bernard said we should not expect the heat to ease any time soon.
"Particularly at Ipswich, we're forecasting temperatures in the high 30s right through into at least the early part of next week," he said.
Brisbane's forecast for Friday was 36, with sea breezes easing the heat in the afternoon.
"If you're right on the coast it will be a lot cooler, only going to 30 degrees at Brisbane Airport," Mr Bernard said.
Severe to extreme heatwave conditions over parts of #QLD and #NSW. More info at https://t.co/IhAOZx3OkA pic.twitter.com/Yzw75Xu8BT
— BOM Australia (@BOM_au) December 1, 2016
Queensland Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick said Queenslanders needed to "be vigilant" and make sure they were prepared for heatwave conditions over the coming weekend.
"Heat related illness can be very, very serious, and it can be potentially life threatening. So what we need to do is look after vulnerable people in particular in our community," he said.
"Please think about dropping in to see your friends, your neighbours and your family to check that they're OK."
Particularly vulnerable are the elderly, pregnant women, young children, the sick and pets, but Queensland Ambulance clinical quality and patient safety director Tony Hucker said everyone needed to make sure they looked after themselves.
"The community can really help us out by just being careful on those really hot days," he said.
If you notice any signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, seek medical treatment immediately. Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) December 1, 2016
Mr Hucker said heat related illnesses can "really sneak up on you".
"Heat related syndromes are really quite insidious, unless you're watching what you're doing and watching others, all of a sudden you're starting to feel very unwell and if you don't recognise [the symptoms] you can get sick very quickly," her said.
Symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion could include headaches, nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness, and a rapid heart rate.
The QAS and all public hospitals have extra staff and crews ready to go in anticipation of an increased workload over the next week.
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