Melbourne Weather

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Melbourne Area
for HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in parts of Port Phillip waters, Western and Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula Local Warning Areas.

Issued at 5:53 pm Friday, 14 December 2018.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 5:50 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Altona and Laverton. They are forecast to affect Werribee, the area east of Lara and the area west of Werribee by 6:20 pm and Corio, Lara and the area west of Geelong City by 6:50 pm.

Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely.

38.2mm recorded in Melbourne CBD.

34.6mm recorded in Viewbank.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay indoors if possible.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* If you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees
* Listen to the radio for storm updates
* Switch off your computer and electrical appliances


The next warning is due to be issued by 6:55 pm.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Central, North Central and parts of the South West, North East and West and South Gippsland districts.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 217. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in Central, North Central and parts of South West, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:48 pm Friday, 14 December 2018.

Weather Situation:

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne and Traralgon.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the East Gippsland and Wimmera districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay indoors if possible.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* If you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees
* Listen to the radio for storm updates
* Switch off your computer and electrical appliances


The next warning is due to be issued by 8:50 pm.

If severe thunderstorms develop in the Melbourne Area, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in this area.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 217. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

Brown Rot Advice
for the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, North East, South
West, Central, West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland forecast districts.

Issued at 3:32 pm EDT on Friday 14 December 2018.

Stone fruit growers in the West and South Gippsland forecast district and parts
of the North Central, South West, Central and East Gippsland forecast districts
are advised that rainfall and accompanying high humidity during Friday are
conducive to a heavy outbreak of brown rot.

Stone fruit growers in the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country and North East
forecast districts are advised that rainfall and accompanying high humidity
during Friday may be conducive to an outbreak of brown rot.

The next warning will be issued by 11:00 pm EDT Friday.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria
Note: This Flood Watch provides early advice of possible flooding within the
specified catchments

Flood Watch for Greater Melbourne, West and South Gippsland, and parts of
Northern and South West Victoria

Issued at 11:04 am EDT on Friday 14 December 2018
Flood Watch Number: 3

Localised minor flooding may develop in the flood watch area during Friday and
into Saturday.

A low pressure system over far northwest Victoria will move into New South
Wales today and weaken. The low will drift southwards back across Victoria
during Saturday, crossing Tasmania on Sunday.

In the 24 hours to 9 am Friday, the heaviest rain has been observed in parts of
northern Victoria with up to 70 mm in the Avoca catchment and around 50 to 60
mm in the Ovens and King catchment. A total of 52 mm was also observed in the
Bunyip catchment in Greater Melbourne.

Rain areas and thunderstorms will continue across the flood watch area during
Friday, with periods of heavy rainfall likely at times. Rainfall totals will be
highest in coastal areas, with 50 to 80 mm possible. Elsewhere across the flood
watch area, totals of 15 to 40 mm are forecast for the south, up to 25 mm for
the north east ranges and around 5 to 10 mm for the north west. Further showers
and storms will follow for the weekend.

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall is current.

Flood warnings are current for the Avoca River and the Kiewa River.

River rises are likely in the areas of heaviest rain, with a possibility of
localised minor flooding developing in the flood watch area during Friday and
into Saturday.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Macalister River

Thomson River

Latrobe River

Traralgon Creek

South Gippsland Rivers

Bunyip River and Dandenong Creek

Yarra River

Maribyrnong River

Werribee River

Barwon, Leigh and Moorabool Rivers

Otway Coast

Ovens and King Rivers

Seven and Castle Creeks

Goulburn River

Loddon River

The Bureau of Meteorology is continuing to monitor the situation and will issue
catchment specific warnings as required.

See www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings to view the current warnings for Victoria.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service:
http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:
Note: This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and
streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to
move to higher ground should flooding develop.

SES advises that all community members should:
Never walk, ride or drive through floodwater, Never allow children to play in
floodwater, Stay away from waterways and stormwater drains during and after
heavy rain, Keep well clear of fallen power lines Be aware that in fire
affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash,
soil, trees and rocks, and heavy rainfall increases the potential for
landslides and debris across roads.

Current Emergency Information is available at http://emergency.vic.gov.au For
emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

Current Road and Traffic Information is available at the VicRoads website:
http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/

Weather Forecast:
For the latest weather forecast see http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/

River Height and Rainfall information are available on the Bureau of
Meteorology web site at http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/flood/

Flood Warnings and Flood Watches for Victorian Catchments are also available
on: Telephone Weather Service No. 1300 659217.

Next issue:
The next Flood Watch will be issued by 11:00 am EDT on Saturday 15 December
2018.