Credit where credit is due, well done to BOM in issuing the SWW for Flash Flooding so early.
I have heard the advice being broadcast on four different radio stations so far!
After 90mins of steady, light rain, it has ceased with conditions becoming brighter by the minute.
The phrase "Chaos & Mayhem" will be suitable to use this afternoon. Tis going to get very, very nasty!! If we get to the forecast temp of 26 then it will be happy hour for Thor!!
Thunderstorm Forecast - Day 1 (Thursday) Issued 11:20 AM EDT 2/12/2010
A trough of low pressure is currently sitting over western Victoria, directing a very moist northeasterly airflow of Victoria, and a volatile atmosphere. Current recordings of dew points are in the high teens across most parts of the state. Scattered thunderstorms are likely to develop over most of Victoria today, particularly this afternoon, thanks to hot surface temperatures and colder air aloft. There is a lesser chance of thunderstorms in the northwest today thanks to a more stable atmospheric environment. Severe thunderstorms are highly likely through the area mentioned below today thanks to stronger instability and the general prime area of development. Severe thunderstorms today are likely to bring flash flooding, large hailstones and possibly damaging winds. There is the risk of supercell activity today, particularly in the 'red' area mentioned below, and due to the nature of supercells, tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Motion of thunderstorm activity today should be south to southwest, but tending more southwest over southern regions. Please note that at the issue time of this chart, severe thunderstorms were already located northwest of Yarrawonga.
Jake - Senior AWF Forecaster
Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions.
Fire Weather Briefing for Victoria
Issued at 10:50 am EDT on Thursday 2 December 2010.
Estimates Today:
The fire weather forecast should provide good guidance for this afternoon.
There is probably the potential for maximum temperatures to be a couple of
degrees higher, however it is assumed that convective cloud will build this
afternoon with showers and thunderstorms. Wind speed at the time of maximum
temperature may be a touch lower than forecast. at 10.45am the Yarrawonga
weather radar was showing a massive storm tracking toward Tocumwal, perhaps a
sign of things to come this afternoon for other parts of the State.
Weather Situation:
A strong and slow-moving high pressure system over the Tasman Sea is producing
a moist easterly airstream over Victoria. A low pressure system will form over
Western Australia during Saturday before moving over the Bight by Sunday.
24 Hour Rainfall to 9am:
Once again showers and thunderstorms were observed across Victoria over the
last 24 hours with rainfall totals varying greatly. Some of the higher rainfall
totals included 47mm at Croydon, 41mm at Melbourne Airport and 29mm at the
Basin in the Dandenongs.
Weather Today:
Scattered showers and thunderstorms near and south of the ranges with locally
heavy falls. Isolated showers and thunderstorms elsewhere. Mild to warm and
humid with light to moderate north to northeasterly winds and afternoon coastal
sea breezes.
IDV65756
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria Regional Office
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
for DAMAGING WIND, FLASH FLOODING and LARGE HAILSTONES
For people in the
Northern Country and parts of the
Mallee,
North Central and
North East s.
Issued at 11:44 am Thursday, 2 December 2010.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Bendigo, Echuca, Shepparton, Seymour, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
IDV65758
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria Regional Office
THUNDERSTORM FORECAST
Issued at 11:25 am Thursday, 2 December 2010,
Valid until midnight on Thursday, 2 December 2010.
The airmass is unstable again today with very high moisture levels. Severe
thunderstorms are likely to develop during the afternoon and produce heavy
rainfall and flash flooding throughout a good part of the state. There is a
lesser chance in the northwest with a cold pool moving southwards.
Power Storm wrote:Harley, the BoM TS chart looks like mine mate, except their 'severe' area extends slightly further west than mine, and theirs covers the entire east.
About to hear the BoM on the local radio, can't wait to hear what they have to say.
Fairly nasty storm off Cape Paterson atm.
Lots of thunderstorms developing through central parts atm too.
So much for the showers and storms being on and South of the ranges! Mabye BOM need to look towards the NSW Border of whats to come! Doesn't look that "Isolated" to me!