Australians living in the country’s southeast are on high alert amid a supercell storm that has already brought golf ball-sized hail, flash flooding and massive downpours.
The storm system has already been wreaking havoc in central and north-west Victoria, with the state hit by heavy rain and hail on Wednesday and Thursday.
Forecasters have warned that more destructive weather conditions are ahead on Friday, with Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart expected to be hit by heavy rain, thunderstorms and damaging winds.
The Bureau of Meteorology said Australians in the southeast can expect “another big stormy day” on Friday, with Sydney receiving up to 15mm of rain.
Melbourne is forecast to receive between 10 and 35mm, as is Canberra, while Hobart could see up to 25mm of rain fall throughout Friday.
Severe thunderstorms are on the horizon for central and northeastern Victoria.
“Anywhere storms form, there is a potential for flash flooding due to heavy rainfall,” BOM meteorologist Sarah Scully said.
Australians living in the country’s southeast are on high alert amid a supercell storm that has already brought golf ball-sized hail, flash flooding and massive downpours.
A severe weather warning is currently in place for parts of the Central Victoria, East Gippsland, North Central, North East and West and South Gippsland regions.
“A deep low pressure system will cross southern Victoria and Bass Strait during Friday,” the BOM said.
“Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with damaging gusts of around 90 km/h are expected in the central and northeastern ranges, with the risk extending to Melbourne’s northern outer suburbs from mid-morning to around at noon on Friday.”
In New South Wales, strong wind warnings are in place for the Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden.
Victoria has been devastated by heavy rain and hail (pictured by Casterton)
Huge hail fell in Casterton, south-west Victoria, on Wednesday.
The rural town of Casterton, in south-west Victoria, near the border with South Australia, was devastated by apocalyptic weather on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms Scully said the wild weather would improve on Saturday morning.
It comes after the rural town of Casterton, in south-west Victoria, near the border with South Australia, was devastated by apocalyptic weather on Wednesday afternoon.
Streets were covered in a thick blanket of large hailstones, while heavy rain caused flash flooding on main roads.
Some businesses were forced to temporarily close after they were flooded, with windows smashed, roofs collapsing and cars completely destroyed.
The local State Emergency Service and the National Fire Authority received almost 100 calls for help from the city which has a population of around 2,000.
Hail larger than golf balls hit in Casterton on Wednesday
Many homes in Casterton were left with their patios covered in hail
Casterton Golf Club was severely damaged by the supercell storm
Despite the wild weather, Sydney will see a warmer day on Friday with a forecast high of 26C.
Melbourne is expecting a high of 24C, while Adelaide will see a sunny day with highs of 20C.
Hobart has a high of 18C for Friday, while Canberra will see a high of 21C.
Meanwhile, Brisbane will see a warm weekend with temperatures remaining in the 20s and 30s.
Darwin will hit 33C on Friday and Perth will see a weekend in the 20C.
The local State Emergency Service and the National Fire Authority received almost 100 calls for help from the city which has a population of around 2,000.