Melbourne weather: Snow-like hail blankets footy field
Melburnians could be forgiven for thinking it had snowed in the suburbs after heavy hail blanketed roads and turned footy fields into an icy, snowlike winter wonderland. SEE THE PICTURES
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Hail has descended on Melbourne’s east, causing havoc on local football games and turning roads white with ice.
An EFL reserves game between Heathmont and Ringwood had to be stopped temporarily at Ringwood’s Jubilee Park, as hailstones pelted players and coaches.
The hail stopped play just three minutes into the third quarter, but the game was resumed before the fourth quarter, as officials were forced to clear ice from the centre square and boundary lines in order for play to go on.
Ringwood Football Club Vice-President Matt Eccles said the hail was “unbelievable,” and sent those on the ground running for cover.
“It was absolutely teeming in… about 3cm deep,” he said.
“The umpires ran off the ground and the players had to follow.”
Despite the tough conditions, Eccles said his team were keen to keep playing.
“It is a winter sport after all,” he said.
The Bureau of Meteorology said that while falling hail may look impressive, the total rainfall is not expected to be more than 5 millimetres in central Melbourne and 5-10 millimetres in the city’s southeast.
Heathmont led Ringwood by three goals as play resumed, and ultimately held on to the lead to win in difficult conditions.
Mt Buller woke up to 11cms of fresh snow this morning with falls continuing across the day and not expected to let up for the coming week.
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