AWF Update 8:34 AM
Heavy falls have been recorded in the last hour or so, particularly with the heavy rain band southwest of Geelong pushing towards the southwest thanks to the low's wrap around. This is producing high reflectivity rates and generally 20-25mm/hr rainfall totals, in some cases higher. Moderate to heavy rainfall has also continued over the western ranges and west central regions, over the Dandenong Ranges and over parts of West Gippsland. Rainfall totals in the last hour have generally ranged up to 5-10mm across the Otway region which is being influenced by the rainfall southwest of Geelong, and generally elsewhere totals have been up to 5mm in other rain areas. There are still embedded isolated thunderstorms occurring.
Currently, rain areas are generally affecting areas to the southwest of Geelong with heavy rainfall, and this will continue to move southwest with the low's wrap around. Further north to the area northwest of Melbourne another rain band is recognisable and is moving towards the south to southeast, so Melbourne is again expected to see rainfall increase slightly in the next hour. Heavy rainfall is increasing the risk of flash flooding and main river flooding, particularly about the Otways and areas near the Otways currently.
Today the upper low will slowly move south to southeast and into central Bass Strait. The rain and isolated embedded thunderstorm activity around the low will gradually move further southeast and clear offshore later this afternoon, so further periods of moderate to heavy rainfall are expected across the southwest and southern central parts until then. Strong and gusty SW winds will develop as the low winds up over Bass Strait and pushes further south tonight.
AWF Melbourne Forecast:
Sunday: Rain increasing from the north and northwest during the next hour with locally heavy falls and the chance of a thunderstorm. Rain will tend to showers late this morning or early afternoon. Humid conditions. Light SW winds freshening over southern suburbs over the coming few hours, then extending throughout during the day and strengthening, before tending west to northwest and easing tonight. Becoming cooler.
For the latest string of warnings please visit
http://www.bom.gov.au for the latest host of flood advices.
Next AWF Update at 10 AM