Parts of south-east Queensland are on high alert for severe thunderstorms, including the potential for large hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a 'very dangerous' thunderstorm warning for the region, urging residents to prepare for supercell storms over the next 24 hours.

Giant hailstones measuring up to 9 centimeters were reported in Pratten, west of Warwick, around 1 p.m. on Saturday. Richard Manley, owner of MJ's Cafe in a nearby township, described the chaos as "tennis ball-sized hail" struck his establishment. "We basically had everyone huddled in our kitchen area because the roof came down in the actual bar area," he said. Several motorists sought refuge at the cafe after their car windows were shattered by the hail.

In the Scenic Rim, hailstones measuring 2 centimeters were reported at Mount Walker. Senior meteorologist Harry Clarke noted that while not every area would experience severe storms, the risk remains high. "It will be hit and miss... but the risk of that severity is quite high today," he said. He added that storm activity could extend into the night, increasing the risk of heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

Kimba Wong, another senior meteorologist at BOM, emphasized the potential for dangerous thunderstorms. "These are quite significant storms that do pose potential risk to life and property," she said. Wong warned of destructive winds exceeding 125 kilometers per hour and hail larger than 5 centimeters. The storms could also bring intense rainfall, particularly in the evening, raising concerns about flash flooding.

The BOM has identified areas at risk, including Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast, and Gympie. Felim Hanniffy, a BOM forecaster, reported that storm activity was already underway, with intense cells developing near Laidley. He noted that while some areas, like Brisbane, had avoided the worst of the weather, the risk remained high for surrounding regions.

Residents are advised to stay indoors during storms, avoid driving unless necessary, and secure their property. The State Emergency Service (SES) has recommended that people stay away from windows during hail and park vehicles under cover.

As storms approached the Sunshine Coast, local resident Stephanie Hobbs described her experience driving home when hail suddenly struck. "I was screaming and freaking out because I had my son in the car," she said, noting that the hailstones were about 5 centimeters in diameter. Fortunately, the weather cleared in time for her family to go trick-or-treating later in the evening.

With the potential for severe weather continuing into Sunday, residents are urged to monitor updates and prepare accordingly. The BOM has indicated that conditions could mirror those from the previous weekend, which resulted in significant storm damage and power outages affecting around 120,000 households.