A set of isolated thunderstorms produced hail across parts of south-east Queensland, including areas around Brisbane in mid-August 2025. Some places briefly looked “snow-like” due to small hail covering the ground. Forecasters reported hail around 1 cm in several towns, with a few pockets seeing larger (2+ cm) stones. A clear, sunny weekend followed, however another wet spell with storms is forecast for the coming week along the east coast, including Brisbane and the Wide Bay.
Latest Brisbane Hailstorm Update: What Happened and When It Struck
On Wednesday 13 August 2025, thunderstorms developed across south-east Queensland. These cells build hails close to towns of Stanthorpe, Toogoolawah, Gympie, Dayboro, and K’gari (Fraser Island). Hail reports around 1 cm were common. Images shared by residents showed paths and lawns covered in white pellets.
By Thursday 14 August, media and forecasters described “snow-like conditions” in a string of towns as bands of showers and storms rolled through the region. One storm lingered near Toogoolawah and Lacey’s Creek, dropping hail for a long period and making the ground bright white.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued severe thunderstorm warnings in the afternoon, including mentions of large hail near Gympie, and explained an upper-level cold pool was helping storms to form. These warnings covered parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett and the Southeast Coast districts.
By Friday 15 August, the system cleared. BoM and local media signalled clear skies and a sunny weekend for much of Queensland.
What about next week? Outlooks suggest another run of wet days with rain and storms likely across the east coast, including Brisbane and the Wide Bay. Forecast confidence is strongest for Tuesday - Thursday, though local totals will vary with storm tracks.
Brisbane Hailstorm 2025: Areas and Suburbs Where Hail Fell
- Stanthorpe : reports of small hail with brief accumulation.
- Toogoolawah : long-lasting hail created white ground cover; residents described an “arctic blast.”
- Gympie : under severe storm warnings for large hail on 14 Aug.
- Dayboro / Lacey’s Creek : hail accumulation, storm sat overhead for a time.
- K’gari (Fraser Island) : snow-like scenes from hail.
9new reported, 'Isolated pockets created “snow-like conditions” in parts of the south-east'.
Note: Not every Brisbane suburb reported hail. These were isolated storms, which means sharp differences over short distances are normal.
Understanding the Brisbane Hailstorm 2025
Hails are formed inside strong thunderstorms with powerful updrafts. Water droplets are carried upward into very cold air which freeze, and then grow as they move up and down through the storm. When the hailstones grow too heavy for the updraft to hold, they fall to the ground. In this event, a cold pool of air high in the atmosphere moved over warm, moist surface air from the Coral Sea. The temperature contrast made the air unstable and helped storms to build and intensify, even though it is winter. This setup also explains why the hail could be widespread in small pockets but short-lived.
Timeline Overview
| Date | What occurred | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 13 Aug | Initial thunderstorms with small hail across parts of south-east Queensland. | Hail near Stanthorpe, Toogoolawah, Gympie, Dayboro, K’gari. |
| Thu 14 Aug | Severe storm warnings mention large hail risk, snow-like scenes in some towns. | Strong wording from warnings and media, isolated pockets saw thick ground cover. |
| Fri 15 Aug | Clearing and sunny weekend outlook. | Storm system moved away, skies improved. |
| Coming week | Rain and storms likely on multiple days along the east coast. | Includes Brisbane / Wide Bay, heaviest timing most likely Tue-Thu |
Brisbane Severe Weather Forecast: What Comes After the Hailstorm?
- Weekend (immediate aftermath): Skies cleared; dry and sunny conditions returned across much of Queensland.
- Next week (east-coast pattern): Several days with showers and storms are forecast along the NSW-QLD coast, with Brisbane in the risk area. Details such as who gets the heaviest falls remain uncertain, expect on-off showers, possible thunderstorms, and local heavy bursts.
Brisbane Hailstorm Safety Tips and Preparedness Guide 2025
Before storms:
- Park vehicles under cover if warnings mention hail.
- Bring in light outdoor items (chairs, tools) that can blow around.
- Keep a torch, power bank, and first-aid kit handy.
- Save and check BoM warnings and local SES contacts.
During storms:
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- Do not drive into hail. If caught, pull over safely and angle the car so hail hits the windscreen (toughened glass).
- Avoid flooded roads, if it’s flooded, forget it.
- Watch for lightning; avoid using wired devices.
After storms:
- Check for roof leaks and blocked gutters.
- Photograph any damage for insurance.
- Keep children and pets off hail-covered surfaces to prevent slips.
Why the Brisbane Hailstorm Looked Like Snow in 2025?
Many images showed white lawns, decks, and paths. This happens when small hail falls quickly and builds up faster than it melts. The pellets bounce and spread evenly, creating a thin white blanket. Wind can drift small hail into piles, adding to the snow-like effect. These scenes are dramatic but often short-lived once the sun returns.
9News reported , 'Parts of the south-east saw snow-like conditions'.
Impact on Local Suburbs and Areas
The Brisbane region sits close to the Great Dividing Range, coastal moisture, and frequent upper-level disturbances in winter and spring. This geography allows fast-forming, short-lived storms that can target a single valley or ridge and miss the next suburb entirely. That is why “hail storm Brisbane” searches spike even when only some suburbs report hail.
For south-east Queensland hail, the Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Scenic Rim, and Darling Downs are regular hotspots when cold air aloft overlaps sea-breeze moisture. In this event, reports lined up along that familiar corridor, Stanthorpe south to Dayboro and out toward Gympie and K’gari.
How Big Were the Hailstones? Brisbane Hailstorm 2025 Data Snapshot?
| Hail term | Approx. size | Typical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Small hail / pea | ~0.5–1.5 cm | No major damage, slippery ground, noisy on roofs. |
| Large hail | 2–4 cm | Dents cars,damages soft metal/solar panels. |
| Very large / giant hail | 5 cm+ | Severe damage, broken windows, dangerous outdoors. |
In this mid-August event, most reports were small (≈1 cm), with isolated larger stones possible near stronger cells.
Are Hailstorms in Brisbane Changing? Climate Context Explained
Recent study published by UNSW used advanced weather models, indicates hailstorms are likely to become more frequent in Brisbane as the climate warms, while the risk of giant hail increases in some other Australian cities. Warmer air holds more moisture compare to cooler air, providing more energy for storms, even in months that are normally quieter. This does not mean every season will be stormier rather, the risk profile shifts toward more frequent or more intense events when the setup is right.
Trusted Media and Government Sources for Brisbane Hailstorm Alerts
- Bureau of Meteorology - Queensland Warnings Summary: current warnings for storms, hail, wind, and flooding. Keep this page bookmarked.
- ABC News (Qld weather): timely wrap-ups of storm days and weekend outlooks.
- 9News: photos and on-the-ground reports during hail episodes.
- Early Warning Network (EWN): summarised BoM-sourced warnings and storm explainers.
- Longer-range media forecasts (The Guardian / News.com.au): broader east-coast rain-and-storm spells that also affect Brisbane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Brisbane City itself get hail? The storm cells were isolated. Some Brisbane suburbs and nearby towns saw small hail, while others had only rain or no storm at all. This is normal for winter/spring storm days.
Why did some places look like snow? Small hail fell quickly and covered the ground. It reflected light like snow. When the sun came back, it melted fast.
Will there be more hail soon? The weekend cleared, but next week shows several days with rain and storms along the east coast, which could include hail in strong cells. Always check BoM warnings on the day.
What size of hail is dangerous for cars and roofs? 2 cm+ hail can dent panels and damage solar. 3–5 cm can break windows and tiles. The mid-August episode was mostly ~1 cm.
Is Brisbane likely to see more hail with climate change? Studies suggest more frequent hail in Brisbane over time, while some other cities may face larger hail more often. Year-to-year variation will still be large
Brisbane Hailstorm Safety Checklist for Households
- Alerts: Follow BoM warnings and your State Emergency Service (SES) advice.
- Parking: If hail is forecast, move vehicles under cover or into a garage.
- Roof & gutters: Clear leaf litter before the season; check tiles after any storm.
- Solar: If you have solar panels, note their warranty and hail rating.
- Insurance photos: Keep time-stamped photos of any damage.
- Pets & kids: Bring them inside during thunder and hail.
- Driving: Slow down, hail makes roads slippery and reduces visibility.
The August 2025 Brisbane hailstorm was brief but memorable - small hail made parts of the region look like snow for a short time. After a clear weekend, models point to another wet, storm-prone week along the east coast, which can bring more thunderstorms and local hail if the ingredients line up. Keep an eye on BoM warnings and stay prepared.