July 16th 2024.
Some residents of Queensland were preparing for a rare and potentially significant snowstorm overnight, following a sharp drop in temperatures and a sudden windstorm that raced through the state. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning that the chilly and wet weather could bring snow to the northern areas of the state, possibly as early as the day before.
A spokesperson from the Bureau of Meteorology acknowledged that the conditions were certainly cold enough for snow to occur. However, the likelihood of snow would depend on whether there was enough moisture and showers in the Granite Belt region. There was a chance of snowfall during the afternoon, evening, and overnight hours.
Meanwhile, the frigid temperatures were being felt across the state. Oakey, a town near Toowoomba, recorded the coldest temperature in the state at minus 3.2 degrees. Other areas like Hughenden and Mt Isa also experienced their coldest July days in years. In fact, Stanthorpe reached a freezing zero degrees yesterday morning.
The situation was further exacerbated by a sudden windstorm that caused chaos and destruction in certain areas. Signs were ripped up and power was cut off for around 20,000 households from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast. The hardest-hit regions were Logan and Moreton Bay, with 6,000 homes left without electricity in each area. Energex warned that the continued strong winds could hinder their efforts to restore power.
In Brisbane, inner-city suburbs were hit with gusts of up to 70km/h, while higher elevations like Mt Coot-tha experienced even stronger winds of up to 90km/h. The powerful gusts even managed to uproot a 20-meter-tall floodlight, sending it crashing into a nearby roof. In other areas, roofs were blown off buildings and trees were uprooted, causing significant damage.
The chilly and blustery conditions are expected to persist today and tomorrow. So, residents are advised to take necessary precautions and stay safe. Keep an eye out for any updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and be prepared for any potential snowfall. Stay warm and stay safe, Queenslanders!
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