Australia's east coast set to be battered by intense storm cell
Australia's east coast is in the firing line of a massive storm, bringing hail and a dumping of rain.
Residents in Sydney all the way up to Brisbane are expected to cop the full force of the storm, which is right now gathering strength off the coast.
Queenslanders have already seen a week of hail storms and will have little relief with the front expected to move across on Thursday night.
The storm is predicted to hit at about 2pm, with northern New South Wales and southern Queensland set to be hit with the harshest conditions.
The "multi-state storm outbreak" will be triggered by a low pressure system, which will become more intense in areas with cold upper level air.
Rain will start to develop in the morning, but will become stronger by the afternoon across the east coast, according to Weatherzone. Residents can expect hail stones up to 5cm wide to fall.
"Showers and thunderstorms are likely to affect parts of central and southern Queensland, eastern, central and southern NSW, the ACT and northern and eastern Victoria," a weather warning said.
Man killed by snapped branch in freak tree-pruning accident
WATCH: Car's dangerous move to overtake group of cyclists on country road
"The most likely area for severe thunderstorms will be in southeast Queensland and along the central and northern coast, slopes and ranges of NSW."
The storm will bring heavy rain, damaging winds and hail up to 5cm wide.
Storms are also possible in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra.
This comes as weather experts meet in Brisbane to discuss plans for the upcoming storm and cyclone season.
The bureau's Queensland manager Bruce Gunn says the wet season has arrived with October rainfall records broken at Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and the Town of 1770 during severe thunderstorms which caused flash flooding.
QFES Brisbane Region Assistant Commissioner Neil Gallant has encouraged people to assess their properties, organise an emergency kit and devise an emergency plan.
