LATEST @ 4.00 PM | A severe weather warning has been issued for the Gold Coast, with heavy rainfall expected to lash the city tonight and early Sunday morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology says a coastal trough currently parallel to the southeast coast is likely to strengthen later today and move closer to the Gold Coast this evening, supported by a strengthening upper trough.

“Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding may develop over the Gold Coast, North Stradbroke Island and the Gold Coast hinterland this evening and continue overnight into early Sunday morning,” BOM said.

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Rainfall totals of 50-100mm are likely with isolated falls in excess of 150mm possible, while we’re being warned short duration totals of greater than 70mm in 1 hour are also possible.

Currently the radar imagery indicates heavy rainfall is occurring offshore from the Gold Coast, however the weather bureau says this activity is likely to move onto the coast later today.

Locations which may be affected include the Gold Coast, Coolangatta, North Stradbroke Island and Springbrook.

A flood watch also remains in place for coastal catchments south of Caboolture to the NSW border.

EARLIER @ 12.40 PM | We’re being warned we could see a potential severe thunderstorm on the Gold Coast later this afternoon.

Continuous light rain has been falling across the city this morning, however it is set to intensify throughout the day with 70 to 100 millimetres of rain now forecast.

Peter Markworth from the Bureau of Meteorology says all the ingredients are there for an afternoon downpour.

“Generally showers and thunderstorms are pretty closely associated so it will be a bit showery and then as the day starts to heat up those thunderstorms will start popping up,” Mr Markworth told myGC.

“Those warm ingredients are there for potentially those heavier falls, but we are expecting those storms to reach the coast by this afternoon and evening.”

Storms and dangerous surf conditions have forced several beaches across the Gold Coast today to be closed.

Lifesavers are warning swimmers to stay out of any beaches that are unpatrolled.

Motorists are also being urged to take extra care on the roads in the wet, with some localised flooding expected.

At the time of writing, there were reports of some water over the road near Exit 85 on the M1 at Reedy Creek.

A flood watch remains in place for South East Queensland.