More wild weather brewing for Queensland as authorities brace for 'state of extremes'

Severe thunderstorms with giant hailstones, heavy rain and destructive winds are expanding across Queensland's central and south-east regions, the Bureau of Meteorology says. Key points: The weather bureau is urging people to keep checking for weather alerts in their areas Central and south-east Queensland will get a reprieve from wet weather come Sunday But heatwave conditions are expected across the weekend, with Brisbane to reach 33C by Sunday The BOM has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for people on the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Capricornia and parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs, Granite Belt and south-east coast districts. Giant hail measuring 16 centimetres was reported at Yalboroo, north of Mackay, in a severe storm yesterday, and the BOM said it was a "new Australian record". "Mother Nature has given us a timely reminder that severe weather season is now upon us, and these conditions are expected to continue over the coming days, particularly around south-east and central Queensland," Mr Grant said. "Our swift-water technicians have been practising their skills ready for the severe weather season and our Rural Fire Service — who have been battling bushfires over recent months — are Commissioner Greg Leach said he was not expecting as intense of a bushfire season this year compared to previous years.