WEATHER EMERGENCY: The latest from the Moreton Bay Region

UPDATE 5PM: The Bureau of Meteorology has just issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Somerset, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay Council Areas.

Residents are told there could be damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall.

The storms are forecast to affect the area southwest of Caloundra, Peachester and Crohamhurst by 5.30pm and Caloundra, waters off Bribie Island and Landsborough by 6pm.

UPDATE 3PM: The Bureau of Meteorology's latest severe thunderstorm warning says storms with large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall are developing over southeastern parts of the state. 

Communities to the east of that line of storms are being urged to keep an eye on warnings and the bureau's radar, and avoid unnecessary travel this afternoon and tomorrow.

Many local rivers and creeks are already at capacity and will flood if heavy rain rolls through, affecting local and major roads.

Here's the current list of road closures

EARLIER: Parents are being asked to pick up their kids from school and stay at home for the next two days, the Premier has announced.

It follows a severe thunderstorm warning from the Bureau of Meteorology, that storms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours.

The Moreton Bay Region is part of the area covered by the Bureau of Meteorology’s Flood Watch warning, with the Pine and Caboolture Rivers likely to be affected by more heavy rain.

Premier Annastactia Palaszczuk said due to "dangerous and potentially life-threatening storms", parents should be collecting children from school when it is safe to do so.

"There are severe conditions that are going to be experienced from the northern Moreton Bay Region, Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Wide Bay, all the way up to Bundaberg," she said.

"We are warning people that this is a serious situation, it is extremely unstable weather conditions, and as a precaution we would like people to pick up their children when it is safe to go out on the roads and do so."

Education Minister Grace Grace said the safety of students and staff was paramount.

"Across all of south east Queensland, schools that can safely open tomorrow will. However they will only be open to children of essential workers and children experiencing vulnerability," she said.

"Our message is that students should stay at home wherever possible though, and if you don’t need to be out on the roads, don’t be.

"Safety of students and staff is of course paramount, and this weather is of serious concern."

Residents have also been asked to stay at home and off the roads for the next two days. 

Information on Queensland state school closures can be found at https://closures.qld.edu.au/