source : the age
Melbourne is on track for its coldest day of the year so far, while wet weather is bringing much-needed relief for the state’s farmers.
The wintry blast has also dumped snow across alpine regions of the state, with conditions due to continue into the official launch of the snow season on Monday.
Odin Cockerill and Arlie Anson enjoy the wet weather at Gorae West, near Portland, in the state’s south-west.Credit: Nicole Cleary
Senior meteorologist Michael Efron warned Melburnians to brace for more chilly conditions, with a top of 12 degrees forecast for Sunday after a chilly low of 8 degrees overnight.
“We are on track for our coldest day this year,” he said.
In the Alps, the mercury plummeted to -3.5 degrees at Mount Hotham while Falls Creek dropped to -3 degrees and Mount Baw Baw hit -2 degrees.
The skies finally opened up on Friday, bringing desperately needed rain, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Efron said the wet conditions were forecast to continue on Sunday, with rainfall of between 10 and 25 millimetres expected through parts of the south and east of the state. For northern parts of the state, another 5 to 15 millimetres of rain was expected today, he said.
“We are seeing some of those drought-affected areas receive some really useful rainfall, but not all of them have seen that,” he explained.
Unfortunately, areas in the state’s north-west – like the drought-stricken Mallee – could only expect about 5 millimetres of rain.
In better news, a flood watch warning issued last night for the Yarra River catchment has been downgraded.
There were 30 millimetres of rain recorded across the Yarra River catchment in the 24 hours to 9am on Sunday morning. There were small river level rises across parts of the catchment, and people were advised to keep an eye on conditions.
“Further moderate rainfall is forecast across the catchment for the remainder of Sunday and into Monday, but this is no longer expected to cause flooding,” the advice on the weather bureau’s website reads.
However, people have been urged to be aware of any hazards that may still exist in the hazard zone.
The cold air was causing snowfall across the alpine region, down to 900 metres. On Monday, snow is expected to fall at about 1300 or 1400 metres.
“It’s very welcome news for the ski resorts,” Efron added.
According to the Falls Creek snow report there has been 37cm of snow fall in the past 24 hours, with a current depth of 55cm. Currently, it’s an icy -1.3C in the area.
“It’s cold, white and wonderful on the upper mountain,” the report reads.
And the wet weather is set to continue on the King’s Birthday holiday, for much of the state’s south.
Falls of up to 5 to 15 millimetres were expected from Monday, with Gippsland to expect high total rainfall.
It’s welcome relief for the state, with much of western Victoria receiving up to 20 millimetres of rain by Saturday.
For those in drought-affected areas, the prolonged rain is a lifeline; the rainfall may not always be heavy, but the cumulative totals over the next several days would help those regions.
