Destructive Thunderstorms Threaten Tornado Outbreak Across Eastern Australia

As of November 1st, 2025, a major band of severe thunderstorms is bearing down on Australia's east coast, threatening to wreak havoc across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a stark warning, with senior forecaster Angus Hines cautioning that the storms could bring a "wide array of severe weather."

The storms are expected to bring destructive winds, giant hailstones up to 8cm in diameter, and the potential for flash flooding and even tornadoes. Hines noted that the threat of tornadoes is "pretty uncommon" in Australia, but the severity of this storm system has raised that possibility.

The impacted areas are expected to include the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and inland regions like Kingaroy, Gympie, and the Darling Downs. In New South Wales, the storms could reach as far as Tamworth, Glen Innes, and the coastal communities of Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and Byron Bay.

The dire forecast comes just days after a tragic incident on the Sunshine Coast, where 21-year-old Finley Bone was fatally struck by lightning during a soccer training session. The Bureau's radar system briefly crashed as the severe storms hit the region, adding to the challenges faced by emergency responders.

As the thunderstorms continue to bear down on the east coast, residents are being urged to prepare for the worst and heed all warnings from local authorities. The potential for widespread power outages, road closures, and other disruptions is high, and the Bureau has emphasized that "some of the impacts could get pretty serious" if the storms reach their full potential.