Heavy rainfall severe weather warning for Melbourne and southern Victoria
Up to 80mm of rain could fall in Melbourne in the lead-up to Christmas as southern Victoria braces for heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding.
It’s set to be a wet lead-up to Christmas in Melbourne with southern Victoria bracing for huge downpours this week.
The weather bureau has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday with localised falls of up to 80mm possible.
A trough is set to deepen over western Victoria on Monday afternoon before moving eastwards across southern Victoria overnight and on Tuesday morning.
Victorians are being warned to expect heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding, with the heaviest rainfall expected in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Widespread rainfall totals of between 20mm and 40mm are expected but isolated thunderstorms could push totals as high as 60mm to 80mm in some areas.
Towns likely to be affected by heavy rain include Horsham, Warrnambool, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne.
âš ï¸A Severe Weather Warning has been issued for Heavy Rainfall expected on MONDAY night and early TUESDAY in southern #Victoria. Widespread totals of 20-40mm, with isolated heavier falls in thunderstorms. Forecasts: https://t.co/syPzJJuWDJ #VicWeather pic.twitter.com/cIm92Wrg0G
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 20, 2020
The rain is expect to ease from the west Tuesday afternoon.
Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe said half of Australia would see 25mm of rain or more by Christmas.
“The low will then move off the coast, we’ll see showers and rain focusing in southern Victoria and particularly northeastern parts of Tasmania and an easing trend as we move into Wednesday,” he said.
Rain! Rain! Rain!
— Rob Sharpe (@Rob_Weatherman) December 19, 2020
Half of Australia will see 25mm or more by Christmas!@SkyWeatherAUS pic.twitter.com/e0857rr74D
The State Emergency Service has warned people to avoid dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
It also urged people to stay indoors when the rain hit and away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
The rain is expected to clear by Christmas Day with Melbourne heading for a partly cloudy December 25 and a top of 21C.
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