Key Takeaways
- Wild weather has swept across Victoria, with damaging winds and hail reported on Sunday
- A low-pressure system has built across the state, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the north and north-east
- The State Control Centre has urged communities to remain on alert for volatile weather, with tornadoes possible in some areas
- A severe thunderstorm warning was in place for parts of Northern and Eastern Victoria, with damaging winds, heavy rainfall, large hailstones, and flash flooding expected
- The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of slippery roads and reduced visibility, and urged road users to reduce speed and use headlights
Introduction to the Weather Event
Wild weather has swept across Victoria, with damaging winds and hail reported on Sunday. The weather event has brought heavy rain and strong winds to the north and north-east of the state, with a low-pressure system building across the region. The State Control Centre (SCC) has urged communities to remain on alert for volatile weather, with tornadoes possible in some areas. The SCC has warned that communities such as Mildura, Swan Hill, Euroa, Shepparton, Mansfield, Wangaratta, Corryong, and Albury-Wodonga should be prepared for very heavy rain and damaging or destructive winds.
Weather Warnings and Alerts
A severe thunderstorm warning was in place for parts of Northern and Eastern Victoria, including Wodonga, Wangaratta, Corryong, Bright, Falls Creek, Euroa, Mansfield, Mt Hotham, and Mt Buller. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned of damaging winds, heavy rainfall, large hailstones, and flash flooding in these areas. The BOM also urged road users to reduce speed, maintain a greater distance between vehicles, and use headlights due to slippery roads and reduced visibility. On Sunday morning, forecaster Lincoln Trainor encouraged Victorians to stay across warnings and weather alerts, stating that it was a "big storm day" across the state.
Impact of the Weather
The wild weather has already had an impact on some parts of the state, with large hailstones damaging a home in Shepparton. Julia Selwood-Tweedie, a resident of Shepparton, reported that a "crazy storm" passed through the town just before 6am on Sunday, causing damage to her front-porch cover. More than 29mm of rain was recorded in Shepparton by 11am on Sunday, with winds gusting up to 43km/h. In Victoria’s west, Vicki Flier was driving home to Casterton from regional New South Wales when she was caught in a downpour near Donald, which was a nerve-wracking moment for her, given that her shop was damaged in a freak hailstorm last October.
Regional Impact
The Alpine region of Victoria has also been affected by the wild weather, with heavy rain and thunderstorms reported in the area. Emma Hinchcliffe, who manages holiday properties throughout the region, said that the wild weather had already arrived, with lots of thunder and lightning through the night. She reported that guests had been given extra time to check out during the storm on Sunday morning, and that housekeepers had held off on their duties until the rain subsided. The region is no stranger to storms, with Hinchcliffe stating that it’s "pretty typical this time of year for us to get storms".
Fire Danger and Safety Precautions
A Total Fire Ban remained in place for the Mallee district until midnight on Sunday, while a high fire-danger rating was in place in the Northern and Wimmera districts. The SCC has reminded Victorians to take care on the roads, as wet conditions, fallen trees, debris, and downed powerlines could make driving dangerous. SES state agency commander Alistair Drayton urged people to stay informed and monitor conditions, stating that "if you’re in the north-west, you need a fire plan. And if you’re in the north-east, you need a storm plan". He also warned people not to drive through floodwater, stating that it could be the "last decision you make".
Conclusion
In conclusion, the wild weather that has swept across Victoria has brought damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain to the state. The State Control Centre and the Bureau of Meteorology have urged communities to remain on alert for volatile weather, with tornadoes possible in some areas. The weather event has already had an impact on some parts of the state, with large hailstones damaging a home in Shepparton and heavy rain and thunderstorms reported in the Alpine region. It is essential for Victorians to stay informed and monitor conditions, and to take necessary safety precautions to minimize the risk of injury or damage.
