The Australian Weather Forum

Lightning is popping up in the rain band coming towards Melbourne! Look at Ballarat shine! http://www.weatherzone.com.au/radar/vic" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Monster gust of wind just smashed us here on site at Laverton, a really long gust!! Rain startin

Wall of black to the west and south, no signs of lightning from the ground though. It closing in on me now; let's see what's in it.

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SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

for DAMAGING WIND, LARGE HAILSTONES and HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in the Central, North Central and parts of the Northern Country, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.
Issued at 3:22 pm Thursday, 23 August 2012.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Geelong and Melbourne. There is also a slight risk of large hail and heavy rain with the thunderstorms.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* secure any loose objects in the vicinity of your home.
* keep away from creeks and drains.
* do not drive vehicles through flooded areas.
* stay indoors if possible.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* if you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees
* listen to the radio for storm updates
* switch off your computer and electrical appliances
The next warning is due to be issued by 6:25 pm.
If severe thunderstorms develop in the Melbourne Area, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in this area.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at http://www.bom.gov.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or call 1300 659 217. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Nice and black to the west with fresh convection ahead of the main line, looks very nice.

Nick in Caulfield

Awesome shelf cloud moving over the CBD now! Not in the best vantage point and the iPhone camera isn't good anyway..

Big black wall over the bay coming our way but will hit a bit more south by the looks (Mt Eliza/Mornington).

Wow, when this hit the bay it just went Ka-Boom

looking at the radar and I wish I was in Mornington, just looks superb.

thunder galore here in moorabbin
Something big is on the way

Sweet thunder and lightning here.

KABOOM !

hail wind thunder and lightning in the city, nice to watch the people scatter on the streets from up here in the building.....WEnt from cracker of a day to filthy in about 10 minutes.

I've been hearing LOUD but I can tell it's distant thunder, enough to rattle my windows. Not a nasty cloud in sight back then, it;s 15:55 and Ive been hearing this since 13:25 it's getting really loud now but that goes down as the loudest thunder from a distance for me ever

Nice ! Lots of rumbles and some flashing in the distance towards SE burbs. Temp has really dropped in last 30 mins. Looks like the storm action will bypass here, but nice to hear / see it in the distance anyway

Things to expect: torrential horizontal rain, pea sized hail, but only for about 5 to 10 minutes also continuous rumbles

Watching the lightning coming over the bay from my South Dandy vantage point. Nice
Rog.

Pea sized hail, great flangs, slowly passing now.

Yep, received a 10 minute burst of pea sized hail, thunder, lightning & heavy rain here in Sunshine West. Was certainly entertaining while it lasted.

10 min burst incl small hail
now the suns out and its around 11 degrees now..ahh Melbourne !

Thunder, first time I've heard THAT in ages! Nice looking squall line on the way here too