From 24 to 26 January 2004, a ridge of high pressure extended south of Tasmania over to New Zealand. This placed Brisbane in a hot, humid, north-to-north-westerly air stream for the week. These conditions produced a succession of severe thunderstorms causing widespread damage in south-east Queensland, particularly in Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

Towns affected included Currumbin, Coolangatta, Fortitude Valley, Woolloongabba, Oxley, Coorparoo, Warrick, Ipswich, Bundamba, Bellbowrie, Calliope, Jimboomba, Beaudesert, Gatton, Nanango, Archerfield, Toowoomba, Kawana Waters, Caloundra, Morerton Bay, Maryborough and Rockhampton.

The Amberley Royal Australian Air Force base recorded a wind gust of 111 kilometres per hour and a sustained wind of 100 kilometres per hour for a 10 minute period. Severe wind combined with large hailstorms caused widespread damage to houses and infrastructure. Houses were affected by fallen trees and debris; 121,000 houses in the Brisbane area lost power.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 2004 storm damage at $28.5 million, with the 2011 estimated normalised cost of $54 million.