Melbourne has been hammered by a surprise thunderstorm as heavy rainfall continues to cause flash flooding.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning on Thursday, forecasting heavy rainfall throughout the day.
It warns there is a storm cell currently moving over the eastern suburbs and continuing to track to the east.
Flash flooding has been observed with storms moving through Melbourne.
Residents in Inner East, South East, Outer East and Northern Local Warning Areas should expect heavy rain throughout the day.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Dandenong, Glen Waverley and Ringwood.
“These thunderstorms are moving towards the east,” the bureau stated.
“They are forecast to affect Belgrave, Healesville and Yarra Glen by 9.45am and the area east of Pakenham and the area northeast of Pakenham by 10.15am.
“Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely.”
The bureau issued another warning for the Ballarat region.
“A severe thunderstorm has cleared to the east of the metro area,” the bureau warned.
“Another storm is approaching the Ballarat area and may become severe.
“Severe thunderstorms in the warning area have temporarily eased.
“However, the redevelopment of severe thunderstorms remains likely.
“The situation is being closely monitored and further detailed warnings will be issued as necessary.”
21mm was recorded at Anakie in the 30 minutes to 7.52am on Thursday.
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Central, North Central and parts of the South West and Northern Country districts.
Sky News Weather senior meteorologist Rob Sharpe said there’s showers and thunderstorms likely to occur particularly for inland areas.
“By the time we get to Friday, the focus will start to be a little more coastal,” he said.
“The southerly winds along the coast they’ll aim showers for easter coastal NSW.”
Callers into 3AW Melbourne shared what they were experiencing on Thursday morning.
“I had to pull over because my windscreen wipers couldn’t keep up with the rain – the lightning every three or four seconds was bang, bang, bang – it’s pretty full on,” caller Nick told Neil Mitchell.
Another man speaking form Tullamarine said the “clouds are very dark but there’s a tinge of green”.
Meanwhile, Canberra is also facing the brunt of the wet weather, with forecast of 8 0 per cent of chance of rain hitting the capital on Thursday.
More to come.