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2010-02-10 06:10:12 - Extreme Weather - Australia EDIS CODE: ST-20100210-24879-AUS
Date & Time: 2010-02-10 06:10:12 [UTC]
Area: Australia, State of Victoria, Melbourne area, Damage level: Moderate (Level 2)
Not confirmed information! Description: Melburnians are being warned to brace for heavy rain, possible flooding, hail and high winds this afternoon as damaging thunderstorms roll across the city. In a warning issued just after 4pm, the weather bureau said severe storms had been brewing over central Victoria throughout the morning and were predicted to hit parts of Melbourne, particularly the northern suburbs. "It's more humid than usual at the moment and we've had a day which has warned up into the low 30s," senior forecaster Terry Ryan said. "The combination of the two, plus an unstable atmosphere, has kicked off thunderstorms. "We saw storms north of the city yesterday when 40 millimetres in Strathbogie, north-east of Melbourne, but we're expecting them to reach further south and closer to the metropolitan area today." He said suburbs such as Craigieburn, Melton, St Albans and Sunbury will be hardest hit. The State Emergency Service is urging people to take precautionary measures ahead of the deluge, telling householders and businesses to secure any loose objects outside, avoid using phones during the storm, and to stay away from fallen power lines. The SES also reminded motorists not to drive through flooded areas, while people are being told to stay away from creeks and drains which could swell following heavy rain. Mr Ryan said tomorrow's weather is expected to follow a similar pattern. "We don't think there will be too many storms left over from tonight, but there will be thunderstorms developing again tomorrow from the late morning. "It will be another warmish day, going for 30 again, but with a bit more cloud about following another warm night. We're predicting the overnight low will be about 23." Widespread lightning strikes are being monitored by the Country Fire Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment as the hot weather continues. State Control Centre spokesman Peter Billing said areas known to have been hit by lightning were being monitored by aircraft. “They’ll be working with the ground crews and fire tower observers already deployed to known lightning strike locations,” he said. More than 60 fires resulting from lightning strikes were reported across Victoria yesterday.
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