Residents of southeastern Queensland, northern NSW were left stunned Tuesday evening after a powerful storm brought with it giant hailstones, some nearly the size of golf balls — and even larger in certain areas.

According to eyewitness reports, the storm began around 6:45 p.m. with heavy rain and strong winds. Within minutes, the sky darkened, thunder echoed across the town, and massive chunks of ice started to fall, covering streets, yards, and vehicles in a layer of white that resembled snow.

“I thought someone was throwing rocks at the windows,” said local resident Emily Roberts, who shared photos of the hailstones on social media. “When I looked outside, I couldn’t believe my eyes — they were the biggest I’ve ever seen.”

A Storm of Unusual Intensity

Meteorologists from the National Weather Service confirmed that the hail was the result of an intense supercell thunderstorm that formed due to unstable atmospheric conditions. Warm, moist air from the south collided with a cold front moving in from the northwest, creating the perfect environment for hail development.

“Hail forms when strong updrafts in thunderstorms carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere,” explained Dr. Jason Lee, a meteorologist with the local weather bureau. “The hailstones grow as layers of ice accumulate before they finally become too heavy and fall to the ground.”

Reports indicate that some hailstones measured up to 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) in diameter — large enough to cause property damage and pose serious risk to anyone caught outdoors.

Damage Across the Area

While no major injuries were reported, the storm left a trail of damage across several neighborhoods. Dozens of cars suffered broken windshields, dented hoods, and shattered windows. Roofs, garden plants, and outdoor furniture also took a beating.

Local emergency services responded to several calls of downed power lines and minor flooding. By late evening, crews were working to clear debris and restore electricity to affected areas.

“It sounded like a machine gun hitting the roof,” said Carlos Mendoza, a homeowner in the western part of town. “I’ve lived here for 20 years and never seen hail that big.”

A Rare Meteorological Event

While hail is common during spring and early summer storms, the sheer size of these hailstones makes this event unusual. Weather experts are calling it one of the largest hailfalls in the region in recent years.

“This type of hail is more typical of severe storm outbreaks in the central U.S., not in our area,” noted Dr. Lee. “It’s a reminder of how quickly weather patterns can shift, especially as we experience more extreme climate fluctuations.”

Community Response and Safety Advice

Local authorities are urging residents to inspect their roofs, vehicles, and property for damage and to document any losses for insurance purposes.

Meteorologists also warned that more unstable weather could return later in the week, advising everyone to stay alert for future storm watches or warnings.

“If you hear thunder, get indoors immediately,” said Dr. Lee. “Hail of this size can cause serious injury. It’s not something you want to take lightly.”

A Night to Remember

By midnight, the storm had moved east, leaving behind quiet streets blanketed in layers of ice — a surreal sight in early [month]. Children came out the next morning to play in what looked like snow, gathering the massive hailstones for photos before they melted away.

For most residents, Tuesday night was one they won’t soon forget. As one local joked online, “We didn’t get snow this winter — but Mother Nature made up for it with frozen baseballs instead.”