Spilt Milk festivalgoers threatened by viscious hail and thunderstorm

Thousands of young music lovers have descended on one of the largest festivals of the year, but there are serious concerns about hail, rain and dangerous winds.

A severe thunderstorm is threatening thousands of festivalgoers who have made their way to Canberra’s Spilt Milk festival, with organisers pausing the music due to the dangerous weather.

Thousands of young Australians have dressed to the nines and made their way to the nation’s capital to watch their favourite artists on stage.

However, the fun soon unraveled as a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the entire ACT region by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

The warning states there is a high likelihood of large hailstones, damaging winds and lightning which put acts on pause on Saturday afternoon.

Spilt Milk organisers were forced to briefly postpone all acts due to the unsafe weather conditions with an announcer telling festival-goers that “there will be no bands on for the foreseeable future” at 5:30pm.

Excited music lovers may be disappointed with a severe thunderstorm to role through Spilt Milk. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Thousands of young Australians are attending the music festival. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Canberra

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for large hailstones and damaging winds effecting the entire ACT region.
https://t.co/AO2uiR5N31pic.twitter.com/rrqSrumzLY

— ACT ESA (@ACT_ESA) November 25, 2023

The pause was only brief as the stormfront moved through, with Aussie rock due Lime Cordiale taking to the stage an hour later.

BOM has also warned that heavy rainfall in the area is likely to lead to flash flooding.

“Stay indoors away from windows,” the ACT State Emergency Service has warned those in the area.

“Never drive, walk or ride through floodwater.”

BOM has tracked the thunderstorms moving east across the ACT.

They expect that the bad weather will arrive in Canberra by 5:45pm.

There was no shortage of fun outfits seen as festivalgoers filed into the event. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

With so many people attending, phone service will be limited and some attendees have brought Walkee-Talkees. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Before the clouds began to roll in, thousands made their way through the festival gates to watch some of the world’s biggest musicians such as Post Malone and Dom Dolla, who are due to perform later in the evening.

Festivalgoers will have access to pill testing at Saturday’s festival, the first time the service has been offered at an Australian event this decade.

Pill Testing Australia will run the free service on festival grounds from 11:30am this morning.

Canberra’s Groovin the Moo music festival was the last event to host the service in 2019.

“People considering using a pill or other drug can see us to have them tested to discover what it is they may really be taking,” states PTA’s website.

“As part of this process we will provide a range of information to help people make an informed decision while understanding the risks and what to do in the event of any adverse outcomes.”

Originally published as Spilt Milk festivalgoers threatened by viscious hail and thunderstorm