Beach blanketed in hail, heavy snowfalls in the Alps, Victoria soaked as dry spell finally breaks

A downpour that smashed the state today has ruined a Gippsland surf life saving club, with members saying the devastation is “beyond words”. It comes after hail blanketed the region, and rain bucketed down in Melbourne. SEE THE PICTURES

Wild weather in the state’s southeast has destroyed the Wonthaggi Life Saving Club, with pictures posted on Facebook showing the land beneath the building appearing to collapse during today’s storm.

It comes after heavy hail blanketed the region, turning beaches white, and Melbourne was hit by a 15-minute downpour that sparked flash flooding.

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Damage to the land under the Wonthaggi club.

The scale of the destruction.

The Wonthaggi club said the devastation was “beyond words”.

Opposition emergency services spokesman Brad Battin said volunteers had been calling for “urgent funding to protect their much loved club”.

The Liberal Party promised $2 million to rebuild it before last year’s state election.

Mr Battin urged the government to match the commitment to “ensure local volunteer lifesavers have a club to protect holiday makers next summer”.

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Dromana earlier today! Photo by Adam Richmond. #Melbourne’s eastern and south eastern suburbs along with the city are currently copping heavy rain and possible flash flooding #melbweather #melbourneweather pic.twitter.com/QHwuUquanc

— Vic Storm Chasers (@VicStormChasers) May 10, 2019

In Melbourne, up to 15 mm of rain fell on several suburbs including Essendon and Ferny Creek around lunchtime.

The drizzle has set in this afternoon, with warnings from emergency services to stay safe on roads ahead of peak hour.

In Glen Waverely, the SES, police and VicRoads were responding to a man trapped in a vehicle in floodwaters on Springvale Rd.

There was also significant floodwater in the city, with VicRoads warning of dangerous conditions on Montague St near the entry to the West Gate Fwy.

Dudley St , West Melbourne - lanes closed eastbound, Right lane closed eastbound under the rail bridge,… https://t.co/XbtiJ5LeGA #victraffic

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) May 10, 2019

Areas of flooding on Springvale Road, Glen Waverley between the Monash Freeway and High Street Road. A couple of lanes are under water near Kingsway. Never drive into floodwater. Take the time to find an alternative route. #victraffic pic.twitter.com/Rt1rh5MtBf

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) May 10, 2019

Hail around the Wonthaggi surf life saving club. Picture: Facebook

In southeast Gippsland, the heavy hail has also fallen in the coastal town of Cape Paterson, near Inverloch, next to Wonthaggi.

The freak storm left roads, properties and beaches resembling a winter wonderland and transformed the Gippsland town into a slushy sea of white.

One beach was almost completely covered in hailstones.

A Cape Paterson beach blanketed in hailstones. Picture: Brad Richards

A beach at Cape Paterson has been transformed into a winter wonderland. Picture: Ionee Reid

Horses at Cape Paterson this morning. Picture: Ionee Reid

Roads blanketed with hail at Cape Paterson. Picture: Ionee Reid

Tennis courts and picnic tables blanketed in hail. Picture: Brad Richards

— Send us your weather pictures at [e-mail]

The extreme hail has gone north to creep across the border to Albury as the town centre is covered in ice.

Albury or the Alps? @WINNews_Alb pic.twitter.com/986wG1j2hi

— Alice Pohlner (@alicepohlner) May 10, 2019

Meanwhile, a snowstorm has blown across the high country, with snow falling in the Victorian Alps for the second day this week as forecasters predict up to 10cm of powder.

At Hotham Alpine Resort, the mercury dipped below zero about 6am, and snowfalls were moderate to heavy.

Locals woke to a wintry landscape just under a month before the snow season is due to start on June 8.

Heavy snow falling at Mt Hotham on Friday. Picture: Twitter/Hotham Alpine Resort

Alpine resorts are rejoicing after the early snowfall. Picture: Twitter/Hotham Alpine Resort

More snow is likely today with up to 20cm set to fall, and temperatures are expected to dip well below zero overnight.

Falls Creek, Mt Buller and Mt Baw Baw are also getting snowfalls.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued an early rainfall forecast for up to 25mm in the city and up to 40mm in the outer suburbs.

As of 7am, 7.2mm of rain had fallen in the city with the heaviest rainfall recorded just after 4am.

The most rainfall the city has had in a day this year was just 11mm.

But heavy rain started again in Melbourne just after midday and it could settle in for most of the afternoon.

Showers were expected to clear by late afternoon, but the Bureau says the rain could hang around for longer because the front has been slow moving.

“That heavy rain west of us is slow moving and it will gradually move across the city and to the eastern suburbs,” BOM senior forecaster Richard Carlyon told the Herald Sun.

The view overlooking Southbank.

The hail/snow storm that hit Cape Paterson. Picture: Brad Richards

Colder temperatures are also expected to follow the rain band, with Melbourne set to hit a top of just 14C.

While the forecast rainfall is not unusual for this time of year, autumn leaves blocking drains could lead to localised flash flooding.

The wettest spot in the state is Ben Nevis, near Ararat, which recorded 59mm of rain.

Aireys Inlet, on the Great Ocean Rd, received 56mm while Ballarat has received almost 50mm with more set to come.

A number of buildings have been damaged around the Ballarat area, with some roads closed due to flooding.

The wet weather has mostly moved out west, with 17mm bucketing down in Geelong during the past two hours.

Storms have caused trees to come down and roads have been flooded.

A tree down in a Geelong West backyard.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning, saying up to 60mm of rain could lash down in only an hour.

The Mornington Peninsula has also copped a drenching, with flash flooding making life difficult for motorists.

@BOM_Vic has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain. Locations which may be affected include Maryborough, Ballarat, Daylesford, Geelong, Wonthaggi and Rosebud. Make sure you never drive through floodwater, avoid fallen trees & stay informed via https://t.co/BIpXTILzT2. pic.twitter.com/3c2kvO9JlG

— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) May 10, 2019

The highest rainfalls were expected just north of Melbourne, near the Yarra Ranges, where between 40mm to 50mm is forecast.

A 4WD ploughs through floodwaters in Dromana. Picture: Adam Richmond

The deluge of rain caused problems for Mornington Peninsula commuters this morning. Picture: Adam Richmond

While it’s hoped today’s rain will mark the start of some much-needed wet weather, the skies are tipped to clear by Saturday as Melbourne heads for a top of 17C.

“It should fine up pretty quickly for Saturday, but some fresh gusty southerly winds will make it feel pretty cold,” BOM duty forecaster Richard Russell said.

“Sunday is expected to be cloudy with a slight chance of showers.”

VicRoads has urged drivers to slow down and take extra care in the rain following a horror week on Victorian roads.

Motorists are being told to turn their headlights on when it’s raining, and leave extra space between them and the car in front as braking distances increase when the road is wet.

“If the rain becomes too heavy for wipers to cope, pull over safely and wait for the rain to pass,” VicRoads said.