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Severe thunderstorms have swept across south-east Queensland, bringing giant hailstones measuring up to 7 centimetres, damaging winds, flash flooding and widespread disruption to homes, roads and Brisbane Airport.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Logan and parts of Ipswich, the Gold Coast, Brisbane City and Scenic Rim council areas on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
- Storms and a dangerous supercell brought hailstones measuring 3-7 cm to south-east Queensland, affecting the Gold Coast, Ipswich and Brisbane.
- More than 1,000 homes lost power, while a lightning strike damaged Brisbane Airport’s western runway, causing flight delays and temporary closures.
- Three people became stranded in floodwaters across the Darling Downs, as authorities warned of destructive winds, giant hail and further flash flooding.
Authorities described the storms as “very dangerous”, warning that they could produce damaging or locally destructive winds, large to giant hailstones and intense rainfall capable of triggering flash flooding.
The bureau confirmed that hailstones measuring between 3 and 7 centimetres were recorded at Yamanto, Flinders View, Ripley and Mudgeeraba between 2:30pm and 3:30pm.
A powerful supercell moved through several areas, including the Gold Coast and Ipswich, where residents reported intense hailstorms that left streets, gardens and residential properties covered in ice.
Videos shared on social media showed backyards blanketed in thick hail resembling snow, while hailstones up to 7 centimetres struck vehicles in Mudgeeraba.
The storm passed through some communities within minutes, leaving more than 1,000 homes without electricity.
Giant hailstorms hit Gold Coast and Ipswich suburbs
The hailstorm affected several suburbs across south-east Queensland, with Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains among the areas experiencing substantial accumulations of ice.
As the supercell crossed Ipswich, residential streets and properties were covered in white, dramatically changing the appearance of neighbourhoods.
Hailstones measuring more than 5 centimetres in diameter are officially classified as giant hail by the Bureau of Meteorology.
Such hail can cause serious injuries and extensive damage to vehicles, windows, residential buildings and agricultural crops.
Queensland has previously experienced even larger hailstones. In October 2020, hailstones measuring approximately 14 centimetres were recorded around Brisbane.
The bureau also issued severe thunderstorm warnings covering parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett, and Southeast Coast forecast districts.
Warnings included the possibility of further destructive winds, heavy rainfall and flash flooding. On the Gold Coast, authorities urged residents and visitors to avoid entering the ocean during thunderstorms.
Lightning strike damages Brisbane Airport runway
The severe weather also disrupted operations at Brisbane Airport after lightning struck and damaged the surface of its western runway shortly before 3pm on Tuesday.
Airport authorities closed the runway while engineering teams inspected the damage and assessed the repairs required to restore normal operations.
The western runway remained closed at 6pm, with engineers continuing to evaluate the affected surface.
Brisbane Airport warned passengers to expect some flight delays as runway capacity was reduced. The airport separately confirmed on social media that its eastern runway had reopened following a safety inspection.
Repairs to the western runway were expected to be completed overnight, allowing it to return to service by Wednesday morning.
The runway damage added to transport disruptions caused by the thunderstorms, which affected multiple communities across the region.
Three people stranded in Darling Downs floodwaters
Emergency services also responded to three separate incidents involving people stranded in floodwaters across Queensland’s Darling Downs region within 24 hours.
Police urged motorists not to attempt to drive through flooded roads, warning of the danger posed by rapidly rising water. At approximately 9:15pm on Monday, a 60-year-old man became trapped in floodwaters at Talgai, north of Warwick.
Police said the man managed to free himself before being rescued by Queensland Fire and Rescue swiftwater crews.
In another incident, an 18-year-old woman allegedly drove into floodwaters in Warwick early on Tuesday morning. Police reported that she subsequently returned a roadside breath test reading of 0.179%.
A third incident occurred at Ellengowan, where a 57-year-old man became stranded in floodwaters at approximately 2:30am.
Swiftwater rescue crews reached the man and brought him to safety shortly before 7am. The incidents occurred as severe weather continued to affect parts of Queensland, with thunderstorms producing both large hail and rainfall capable of causing dangerous flooding.
Emergency authorities continued to warn motorists against entering floodwaters, while the Bureau of Meteorology maintained severe thunderstorm alerts for affected districts.
