DAMAGING winds, large hail and heavy rain could again lash south-east Queensland, with severe thunderstorms a chance to hit the region over coming days.
It comes as almost two million residents in Scenic Rim, Moreton Bay and Brisbane council areas gear up for the Ekka long weekend, which was postponed in August due to a coronavirus outbreak.
Severe thunderstorms have hit parts of the state recently, including at Brisbane Airport, where a tornado damaged buildings on Friday morning.
Logan, Beaudesert and Redlands have received good falls over past weeks, with more than 150mm falling in each area since the start of October.
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Meteorologist Helen Reid said widespread storms and showers were expected to develop as a trough moved through the state over Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
"Residents planning Ekka public holiday activities this long weekend should consider the possibility of severe thunderstorms impacting parts of southern Queensland," she said.
"The severe thunderstorms - which could see damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall - are possible about the southern interior on Friday and the south-east on Saturday.
"Showers and the chance of a thunderstorm are also forecast in south-east Queensland on Friday, but activity from the thunderstorms is not expected to be severe."
Thunderstorms were less likely on Wednesday and would be isolated if they eventuated.
"We are not expecting this thunderstorm activity to become severe," Ms Reid said.
"Warm temperatures are the feature of today and tomorrow ahead of a trough moving into western parts of the state during the course of the next day or two.
"As the trough moves through the state during the course of Thursday and Friday and into the weekend on Saturday, we are expecting widespread storms and showers to develop.
"The Bureau recommends people regularly check the website and app for warnings, and follow the advice of emergency services."
Sunday will mark one year since Halloween storms hit parts of southern Queensland, producing giant hail that caused widespread damage to homes and businesses.
Bureau of Meteorology researcher Dr Joshua Soderholm said severe thunderstorms were most likely to hit during spring and early summer.
"This is a time of the year when surface temperatures are warm enough to promote the development of intense thunderstorms," he said.
"But you also need the accompanying ingredients of strong winds and cool air in the upper atmosphere to support hail growth."
Dr Soderholm said hail started as water vapour near the ground, before condensing into tiny water droplets.
It would cool as it rose inside a thunderstorm updraft, collecting water that was below freezing.
"This freezing water is called supercooled water and the longer the droplets - and eventually ice - fly through the supercooled water within the hailstorm updraft, the bigger it grows," Dr Soderholm said.
"So whenever you see giant or large amounts of hail on the ground, a lot has had to happen for it to get there. It is also why there is not hail in every storm."
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