LATEST: Severe thunderstorms are no longer affecting the Southeast Queensland area (east of Dalby from Rainbow Beach to Stanthorpe).

Tthe immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary, the Bureau of Meteorology advised at 8.15pm.

Earlier, BOM reports a dangerous thunderstorm had developed and was headed for suburbs north of Brisbane.

Queensland's storms started to develop about 2pm,  affecting first the Granite Belt and Darling Downs

There was golf-ball and even tennis-ball-sized hail smashing Stanthorpe about 4.30pm.

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The ferocity of the downpour of hail surprised many weatherwatchers.

The storms continued to hit Ipswich and then Brisbane, with spectacular displays of lightning.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned that, at 7:50 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near southern Lake Wivenhoe and the D'Aguilar Ranges.

These thunderstorms are moving towards the east.

They are forecast to affect Strathpine, Lake Samsonvale, Kallangur, Narangba, Dayboro and Burpengary by 8:20 pm.

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Other severe thunderstorms were located near Ipswich and Amberley. They are forecast to affect Redbank Plains by 7:55 pm and Wacol and Archerfield by 8:25 pm.

Damaging winds and very large hailstones are likely.

Reports of at least golf ball sized (4cm or greater) from Stanthorpe at 4:30pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 7:10 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near the area southwest of Esk and Rosewood.

These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to northeast. They are forecast to affect Ipswich, Esk, the area south of Esk, southern Lake Wivenhoe, the D'Aguilar Ranges and northern Lake Wivenhoe by 7:40 pm and Strathpine, Albany Creek, Lake Samsonvale, Kallangur, Narangba and Dayboro by 8:10 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

 The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 6:50 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Rosewood and Marburg.

These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to northeast.

They are forecast to affect Ipswich, Amberley, Lake Manchester and Upper Brookfield by 7:20 pm and Brisbane CBD, Camp Hill, Enoggera Reservoir, Enoggera, Samford and Albany Creek by 7:50 pm.

At 6:25 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Rosevale, Grandchester and Hatton Vale.

These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to northeast. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Ipswich, Peak Crossing, Amberley, Rosewood, Marburg and Fernvale by 6:55 pm and Lake Manchester, Upper Brookfield, Enoggera Reservoir, Mount Nebo, Highvale and Samford by 7:25 pm.

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Other severe thunderstorms were located near Clifton. They are forecast to affect Moogerah Dam and Aratula by 7:25 pm.

Destructive winds and very large hailstones are likely.

Earlier, a warning was issued at 5.41pm for people in  the Ipswich, Lockyer Valley and parts of the Logan, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs, Toowoomba and Brisbane City Council Areas.

"These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to northeast,'' the bureau advice said.

"Severe thunderstorms are forecast to affect Laidley, Mulgowie, Grandchester, Hatton Vale and the area northwest of Cunninghams Gap by 6:05 pm and Ipswich, Rosewood, Marburg, Lake Manchester, Lowood and Fernvale by 6:35 pm.

"The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 5:35 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Allora and Clifton.

"They are forecast to affect Cambooya by 6:05 pm and Toowoomba, the area south of Toowoomba, the area southwest of Toowoomba and the area south of Helidon by 6:35 pm.

"Damaging winds and very large hailstones are likely.

Reports of at least golf ball sized (4cm or greater) from Stanthorpe at 4:30pm.

UPDATE: Severe thunderstorms producing large hailstones and damaging winds are rolling across the Toowoomba and Warwick regions.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near the area south-west of Warwick.

Golf-ball size hail has been recorded at Stanthorpe and across the Granite Belt.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 5.05 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Allora and Clifton.

These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast. They are forecast to affect the area south of Toowoomba and Cambooya by 5.35 pm and Toowoomba, Helidon, the area northwest of Cunninghams Gap and the area south of Helidon by 6.05 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

EARLIER: A storm bringing large hailstones and dangerous winds is forecast to hit the Darling Downs this afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning for severe thunderstorms at 2pm saying it could hit Warwick, Stanthorpe, Inglewood, Clifton, Pittsworth and Moonie.

Toowoomba is not currently in the firing line for severe storm activity.

The maximum temperature for the Garden City today is predicted to be 33 degrees.

There is a 70% chance of rain and showers are due to fall this afternoon and this evening.

The Bureau will issue an update on its warning at 5.05 pm.

If severe thunderstorms develop in the Southeast Queensland area (east of Dalby from Rainbow Beach to Stanthorpe), a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in this area.

Meteorologist Julian De Morton said residents in affected areas could expect a little rain to accompany the afternoon storms.

"We are expecting a large number of storms across the Southern Downs region in the next few hours," he said.

"Currently there are no thunderstorms in the area but as we see a trough running through near Goondiwindi, we will see some storms bringing damaging winds and hail.

"However it is unlikely there will be much heavy rainfall between now and this evening."

As the storms move in an eastern direction towards the coast, parts of the Southern Downs will be included in a severe storm warning for the Brisbane Metropolitan region.