Victoria warned to brace for more severe storms

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the entire state, forecasting more heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Heavy rain is falling in Bendigo and Numurkah, as a storm 'super cell' begins to impact north-east and central Victoria.

The most damaging storm is currently affecting the area between Deniliquin and the Murray River in northern Victoria near the border with New South Wales, but it is moving in a south-easterly direction towards Benalla.

Two centimetre hailstones are reported to be falling and trees have been uprooted in this area. This storm is heading south towards bendigo, and is also expected to impact upon Echuca.

Bendigo SES area commander Graham Poulton advises residents in storm affected areas to avoid driving, park their cars undercover and keep their children away from drains and waterways.

Earlier, storm activity moved south from the Swan Hill region slower than expected, but clearer skies increased the temperature, which leads to an intensification of conditions in storm cells.

Storms were originall predicted to hit Melbourne from 3pm, but this estimate has been pushed back until early evening. Severe thunderstorms are expected to bring large hail, strong winds and extremely heavy rainfall in central Victoria, and possibly Melbourne, between 5pm and 7pm.

The weather bureau is expecting rainfalls of between 50 and 100 mm to accompany the storm. Yesterday the highest rainfall recorded was 67mm at Maribyrnong.

Official flood alerts are in place for Victoria's north-east and the Goulburn Valley.

Heavy downpours and possible flash flooding could be expected, Weatherzone meteorologist Max Gonzalez said this morning.

"The heavy downpours will continue today, there's not going to be any break in that," he said.

"Chances are that thunderstorms will redevelop this aftenoon, bringing flash flooding and damaging winds and hail.

"There's a good chance we could see a repeat of yesterday."

The weather system approaching Victoria was looking more unsettled than yesterday's, Mr Gonzales said.

"There'a low coming across from the Great Australian Bight bringing cool air aloft and making the atmosphere more unstable," he said.

The bureau's warning, updated at 10.46am, said rain and thunderstorms may lead to flash flooding.

The storm was forecast to reach peak intensity during the afternoon and evening.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Richard Carlyon said storms, possibly carrying damaging hail, were on the way, but it was too early to specifically say where they would hit.

‘‘There will be severe storms across the state, we could get golf ball-sized hail, heavy weather and strong winds, but it’s hard to say yet whether this will occur in Melbourne,’’ he said.

‘‘It happened yesterday that Melbourne was most heavily hit, but it might be somewhereelse in the state this afternoon, it’s too early to say.

A humid and very unstable atmosphere meant Victoria faced the same ingredients that delivered yesterday’s incredible weather, Mr Carlyon said.

‘‘This morning storms are increasing in the norhern part of the state, so we’re keeping an eye on those. They might track towards Melbourne mid-to-late afternoon,’’ he said.

Victoria's Alpine Areas, Western, North Central, Northern Country, Wimmera, Mallee, Central, West and South Gippsland, East Gippsland and Northeast forecast districts were inlcuded in the warning.

The State Emergency Service said Victorians should:

- Not drive, ride or walk through flood water.

- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

- Keep clear of fallen powerlines

- Secure loose objects

In an emergency, the SES can be contacted on 132 500.