Heavy storms drench east coast while WA braces for severe fire weather

Large parts of Australia north east have been drenched with heavy rain and storms over the last 24 hours with more rain expected today.

Toowoomba and Brisbane saw large hail yesterday afternoon while 100,000 lightning strikes hit between Darling Downs and Brisbane.

Several areas received rainfall above 20mm in over the last 24 hours with Goomburra in southeast Queensland copping more than 30mm since 9am yesterday.

Today, a trough across the tropics is causing areas of rain and storms, heaviest over the Top End.

Another trough is generating showers and storms over parts of Queensland and NSW.

Temperatures are expected to drop across the southeast today due to cool southerly winds, also causing the odd shower over Tasmania.

Meanwhile, severe fire danger warnings have been issued for parts of…