Dust in Melbourne’s west as temperatures drop

An impressive red dust cloud in Melbourne’s west, snow on Mount Baw Baw; summer has finally gone, but we’ve had some weird weather in return.

Dust captured from Melbourne airport on Wednesday March 6. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

Last week’s heatwave has been banished as a cold change whipped up winds in Melbourne and delivered a dusting of snow on Victorian mountains.

With a top of just 17.2C today in Melbourne, the cold winds whipped up red dust after lunch in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

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Keris Arndt, senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, said while it wasn’t quite a dust storm, it looked pretty impressive.

“We saw a bit of raised dust from across the western suburbs this afternoon... I wouldn’t call it a dust storm though,” he said.

A line of showers quickly quashed the red cloud.

Looks like the dust storm has reached the city pic.twitter.com/OPgrxDnymc

— Peter Metzeling (@OttoVonT) March 6, 2019

And on Mount Baw Baw, a light dusting of snow settled today.

“It was a good indication of just how cold the air moving across Victoria actually is,” Mr Arndt said.

He said there were also reports of hail in some parts of the state.

Thought it was cold out there today? It was! Check out the light dusting of snow at Toboggan Park, Mt Baw Baw. What a #doozy of a day #Victoria ! Photo from @skicomau pic.twitter.com/4mJRbzMTJo

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) March 6, 2019

It was the coldest March day since 2015, with mild conditions to stay through the week.

Tomorrow will peak at 23C in Melbourne with cloud remaining, 24C for Friday but a warmer, mostly sunny weekend will see temperatures back up to 26C.