Gale force winds lash Toowoomba - Toowoomba Chronicle

Lina Pervan rugs up again the cold icy winds. Photo: Bev Lacey / The Chronicle Bev Lacey

TOOWOOMBA residents will get a reprieve this weekend from the gale force winds which yesterday lashed the city.

Strong winds as fast as 69 kmh brought down powerlines and created havoc.

The south westerly gusts also brought the apparent temperature in Toowoomba down to below 0 degrees for most of the day.

Nearly 1000 homeowners and business around the region were without power when winds took down power lines on James St in Toowoomba and Station St in Hampton.

As many as 620 customers were without power in Crows Nest, Hampton and surrounding areas when strong wind took lines down.

It was a similar situation in Toowoomba when gusts snapped power lines on James St in front of the PCYC.

The power outage caused havoc with local traffic as traffic lights were out of action.

Toowoomba police were quick on the scene to control traffic and secure the area.

Strong windes bring a Power line down on James Street Photo Nick Houghton / The Chronicle Nick Houghton

Ergon Energy spokesperson Rod Rehbein said crews were committed to promptly returning power to those affected.

While today is set to see the strong winds disappear, Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michelle Berry said the frosty temperatures would be sticking around.

"It will be a bit of a chilly weekend in Toowoomba with lows to get down to around 1 degree on Saturday and 3 degrees on Sunday," Ms Berry said.

"Saturday will see those chilly south westerly winds begin to subside throughout the day but could still be a little bit gusty in the morning.

"The afternoons are looking like the best time to enjoy."

Ms Berry said slightly warmer weather could be on the horizon.

"Sunday will see a direction change in the wind allowing conditions to warm up a bit," she said.

"The will be some extra cloud cover over Toowoomba next week which could also bring warmer temperatures.

"There is a small possibility of rain midweek but any wet weather would be minimal."

Coldest Temperatures

• Applethorpe - Temp 4.2°C. App Temp: -2.4°C


• Dalby - Temp: 1.4°C. App Temp: -2.6°C


• Goondiwindi - Temp: 4.4°C. App Temp: 3°C


• Miles - Temp: 1.1°C. App Temp: -1°C


• Oakey - Temp: -1°C. App Temp: -3°C


• Toowoomba - Temp:3.4°C. App Temp-3.5°C