Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall in Southern Queensland Districts

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning (IDQ21033) for heavy rainfall. This top-priority alert was issued at 4:39 pm local time on Sunday, 8 March 2026, for residents in the far southern inland regions of Queensland.

Affected Areas

The warning applies to people in parts of the following forecast districts:

• Maranoa and Warrego
• Darling Downs and Granite Belt

Specific locations that may be affected by the severe weather include Bollon and Dirranbandi.

What You Should Do

Emergency services advise residents in the warning area to take immediate safety precautions:

• Seek Shelter: Go inside a strong building now and stay inside until the storm has passed.
• Travel Safety: Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous. Park your car undercover and away from trees.
• Home Preparation: Close all doors and windows. Charge mobile phones and power banks in case of power outages.
• Health and Safety: Keep asthma medications close by, as storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks. Put your pets somewhere safe and ensure they can be identified if they get lost.
• Communication: Tell friends, family, and neighbours in the area about the warning.

Expected Conditions

A relatively moist and unstable airmass is currently situated over far southern Queensland. Thunderstorms have developed near a weak trough in the area. Due to slow storm motions, there is a significant risk of localised heavy rainfall. These severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy falls that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 4:39 pm on Sunday, 8 March 2026. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to provide the next update by 7:40 pm. Residents should continue to monitor local TV and radio broadcasts or check the BOM website for further updates.