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The Sunshine State has been lashed by severe thunder and hailstorms in the last week, including 16cm chunks of ice that broke Australian records and wreaked havoc on the Mackay region.

Last week, a teenager was struck by lightning in the Gold Coast and last night, a suspected tornado and more hail touched down near Bundaberg, adding to the slew of freak weather events.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) confirmed the period of wild weather isn't over, warning residents to prepare for more bouts of "giant" hail.

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A leading hail researcher from the Bureau of Meteorology, Dr Joshua Soderholm, has explained the unusual phenomenon.

"This is a time of the year when surface temperatures are warm enough to promote the development of intense thunderstorms, but you also need the accompanying ingredients of strong winds and cool air in the upper atmosphere to support hail growth," Dr Soderholm said.

He added that severe hailstorms, like the ones experienced in parts of Queensland and New South Wales, are most common in spring and early summer, requiring very specific conditions.

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The BoM confirmed the giant hail measuring 16cm in Yalboroo, near Mackay, last week had eclipsed previous Australian records of 14cm.

Recent storms in Coffs Harbour, in NSW, also produced small drops of hail, which accumulated like snow on the ground.

"Hail starts as water vapour near the ground. This condenses into tiny water droplets, cooling as it rises inside a thunderstorm updraft, collecting really cold water that's below freezing," Dr Soderholm said.

"This freezing water is called supercooled water and the longer the droplets – and eventually ice – fly through the supercooled water within the hailstorm updraft, the bigger it grows.

"So, whenever you see giant or large amounts of hail on the ground, a lot has had to happen for it to get there.

"It is also why there is not hail in every storm."

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1452911372468097025

The BoM has warned that more severe thunderstorms are predicted for parts of the country this week.

The severe weather season is predicted to last until April 2022.

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An interview between a British broadcaster and a climate change activist has gone viral after it was claimed "concrete can grow".

TalkRADIO host Mike Graham made the statement during an awkward on-air exchange with Insulate Britain spokesperson Cameron Ford.

The interview, which has been viewed more than 6 million times on Twitter, got off to a rocky start after Graham asked Mr Ford what he was "glued" to.

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Graham was making reference to members of the activist group supergluing their hands and faces to London roads this week.

"Just your screen, unfortunately," Mr Ford replied.

Before he could complete his sentence, Mr Graham asked his guest about his occupation.

After Mr Ford revealed he was a carpenter, the UK journalist questioned how safe that career was for the climate.

"Well, I work with timber which is a much more sustainable material rather than concrete," he said.

"But you work with trees that are cut down, don't you?" Mr Graham interjected.

Mr Ford politely said cutting down trees was a sustainable practice.

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When pressed by Mr Graham about how killing trees was sustainable, Mr Ford said it was regenerative because "you can grow trees".

It was at this point Mr Graham went to point out that "you can grow all sorts of things".

"Well, you can't grow concrete," Mr Ford said.

"Yeah, you can," Mr Graham quipped.

Seconds passed in silence before Mr Graham ended the interview.