Flash-flood warning with 'zombie cyclone' set to bring thunderstorms
Parts of Victoria are at risk of flash flooding on Thursday with heavy downpours to lash the state thanks to a "zombie cyclone" that is reviving into a powerful storm.
A severe weather warning has been issued for most of Victoria for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
But before the cooler conditions arrive, Melburnians will sweat through a warm Wednesday with a maximum forecast of 33 degrees, and 36 degrees in the north-west of the state. By lunchtime on Wednesday the mercury was nudging 32 in Melbourne.
The Bureau of Meteoerology has been warning of the potential for severe weather throughout eastern Australia this week due to Tropical Cyclone Owen, which is sitting over the Gulf of Carpentaria
The next few days will be an "extreme weather week," Senior Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said.
The "zombie cyclone" started last week near the Solomon Islands and reached category one on Monday, then was downgraded before it re-strengthened to its current category one status. It is forecast to become a category-three cyclone by Thursday morning.
James Taylor, manager of the bureau's extreme weather desk said a low-pressure system developing over Victoria "has the potential to draw moisture southward from Tropical Cyclone Owen, creating a large cloud band with associated severe thunderstorms," he said.
"Heavy rainfall associated with the cloud band looks likely to affect Victoria on Thursday then contract southwards during Friday."
Rain and thunderstorms are expected to develop across the area from the west during Thursday morning.
Some parts of Victoria could see rainfall totals of 30 to 50mm, and local totals could reach 50 to 100mm.
Locations that may be affected include Horsham, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
The State Emergency Service has warned people not to drive through floodwaters.
"Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads," the SES warning reads.