Light and shade: Heavy thunderclouds emphasise the golden glow of the roadside below a double rainbow on January 2. Photo: Rodney Braithwaite
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
A severe thunderstorm warning for large hailstones and heavy rainfall across northern Victoria was issued about 3am on Tuesday, January 11, as brooding weather tempered the previous day’s heat.
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Shepparton, Echuca and Seymour were all within the Bureau of Meteorology’s identified range of the storm, which extended past Swan Hill to the west.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hail over the next several hours,” the Victorian State Emergency Service advised in an online warning issued during the wee hours.
All the colours: A pot of gold surely sat at the bottom of this brilliant rainbow.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
As luck would have it, the Shepparton region escaped largely unscathed from the latest in a series of intermittent summer storms.
Shepparton Search and Rescue received no calls for assistance and, by mid-morning, the volunteer rescue organisation had received news of just one tree down at Pine Lodge.
The highest wind gust recorded in Shepparton was 65km/h at 4.45am, whereas an 82km/h gust was recorded at Warracknabeal at 5.47am.
Monday was a scorcher in Shepparton with blue skies and not a drop of rain, reaching a top of 36.6°C in the afternoon, before eventually dropping to a low of 17.8°C at 5.23am on Tuesday.
Incoming: Thick storm clouds approach overhead in Shepparton on January 7, as heavy rain hit the region.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
The cool change was welcomed by overheated, restless sleepers, however, intermittent summer storms have been a nuisance for farmers and hay contractors.
Invergordon contractor Luke Felmingham welcomed the rain, but said the frequency of rain interruptions made for a difficult season.
On Tuesday, he had lucerne and grain crops cut, waiting to be baled, but had to stop because of the showers. He was watching the forecasts with some trepidation.
“The storm missed us out here last night, but it looks like we’re getting more showers now,” Mr Felmingham said on Tuesday.
Shepparton recorded 12mm of rain overnight to 9am, while at Campaspe Weir, near Rochester, a substantial 20mm was recorded in the 30 minutes to 4am.
Sombre: Shepparton CBD is lit with a humid gloom before an impressive storm on January 7.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
More wild weather is expected as the La Niña weather event continues to bring wet and windy conditions to Victoria, and the SES is asking households to take preventative measures to be taken to reduce call-outs and accidents.
The cyclic weather event is caused by large-scale cooling of the water surface in the Pacific Ocean, and brings potentially damaging wind, rain and hail that poses risks to people and property.
During and in the aftermath of a severe storm, the SES advises people should steer clear of fallen powerlines, and always assume they are live.
Avoid dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
Never walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
