Severe storms likely in eastern Victoria on Sunday, Bureau says
The Bureau of Meteorology says a major thunderstorm outbreak is expected across eastern Australia on Sunday afternoon, with large hail and damaging winds possible in the north-east.
Severe thunderstorms are likely across a large part of eastern Australia on Sunday afternoon and evening, including eastern and north-east Victoria, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
In its latest video update, current at midday on Saturday 24 October, the Bureau described "a major severe thunderstorm outbreak on Sunday afternoon, extending from eastern Victoria through western New South Wales and right up through western Queensland".
This story is based on that update. Forecasts and warnings change quickly – check the Bureau's latest warnings before you head out.
What the Bureau says for Victoria
- Saturday night into Sunday morning: a cold front and trough are expected to bring rain to South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, particularly late Saturday and into early Sunday – "plenty of rain during the night for Victoria and Tasmania", the Bureau said.
- Saturday afternoon: the Bureau said severe thunderstorms were possible in parts of Victoria, with Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs the most likely part of the city to be affected.
- Sunday afternoon and evening: the main outbreak. The Bureau said the Riverina, the area around Albury-Wodonga and north-east Victoria face the risk of "heavy rain, large hail and damaging winds", and that "destructive wind gusts are possible in perhaps one or two stronger supercell severe storms" in that area.
Across eastern Australia
The Bureau said many areas could get 20 to 50 mm of rain over about three days, mainly with thunderstorms, and well over 100 mm in some spots, particularly in central Queensland.
That follows a very wet week in Queensland, with flash flooding in the south-east. On Monday, the Bureau expects the storms to focus on north-east New South Wales and south-east Queensland, including Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast, in what it called the last day of this outbreak.
The Bureau said severe storms could bring down trees and power lines, and cause heavy rain, flash flooding and large hail. It said people had already been rescued after driving into flooded roads and creeks in Queensland.
What it means for you
- Check the latest warnings and your local radar on the Bureau of Meteorology website or the BOM Weather app.
- For warnings and incidents in Victoria, use VicEmergency.
- VICSES says blocked drains, cars parked under trees and falling branches are some of the major causes of preventable storm damage.
- For help with flood and storm emergencies, call VICSES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Sources: Bureau of Meteorology, “Severe weather update: Major weekend severe storm outbreak”, video current 12 pm AEDT Saturday 24 October 2026; Bureau of Meteorology video news release, 23 October 2026; VICSES storm advice. Source: Bureau of Meteorology video updates, 23 and 24 October 2026; VICSES. Illustrations: The Dosage.