Wild winds hit Melbourne commute with hail on way
Gusty winds have smacked Melbourne as commuters head to work on Friday morning, with hail expected to come in what has been tipped to be the worst winter weather yet this season.
The State Emergency Service was busy pulling fallen trees off roads across the state overnight.
But the strongest gusts were expected to hit the city from 5am to 9am, during the morning's peak commute, according to a severe weather warning from the Bureau of Meteorology on Friday.
Cape Otway had 115km/h gusts about 4.40am, while Cape Nelson and Warrnambool had 98km/h gusts overnight.
The high winds interrupted trips to work, with driving speeds reduced to 60km/h on the West Gate Bridge.
The cycling path at Brighton was covered by surging waves.
Melbourne's eastern suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula and west Gippsland coast were expected to cop peak gusts of up to 110km/h in the morning. The city could get isolated winds up to 90 to 100km/h.
The east Gippsland coast is expected to get its strongest winds at midday.
Melbourne is forecast to hit a top of just 11 degrees and get about 2 to 8 millimetres of rain through the day, with chilly air bringing hail. The eastern suburbs may get higher rain totals.
"Hail and thunderstorms are still a risk," bureau forecaster Dean Stewart said.
"There's still a chance for that virtually anywhere through the Melbourne area, but a higher risk of storms in the afternoon than this morning.
"The chance of hail is quite high, storms are less likely."
Victoria SES said there had been 157 calls for help in the 24 hours until 7am, mostly for fallen trees blocking roads and building damage.
The SES spokeswoman said she expected more calls to come until about 10am.
"It's a bit of a waiting game. I know the worst of it's not over," she said early on Friday morning.
Heavy snow and poor visibility closed the Great Alpine Road between Harrietville and Mount Hotham, with crews reassessing conditions later on Friday morning.
There was snow down to 700 metres in Victoria, including on Mount Macedon just an hour north-west of Melbourne.
Falls Creek ski resort said it had about 47 centimetres of snow overnight.
Snow is no longer expected to be dumped onto Mount Dandenong despite the cold air, because showers are expected to clear on Friday night.
"There's probably a better chance on Sunday morning, when we do get another burst of cold air coming up around this system [and showers]," Mr Stewart said.
The worst of the winds came later than forecast because the low-pressure system moved slower than expected across the Bass Strait.
Victoria's SES chief officer Tim Wiebusch on Thursday night urged Victorians to prepare for the winds.
"If it's safe to do so, tie down any loose items around your home such as outdoor furniture or trampolines. Remember to also ensure your drains and gutters are clear," Mr Wiebusch said.
"It's important to remain alert when behind the wheel. These strong winds may create dangerous road conditions, such as debris or fallen trees and powerlines."
VicRoads has urged motorists to take care because of fallen trees and the potential for fallen power lines.
Winds are expected to ease over western and central parts of the state in the morning, and ease in the east in the afternoon though there could still be some squally winds with showers.
The severe weather warning no longer covers the Mallee, Northern Country and Wimmera districts.
Melbourne weather
5am to 9am: When the worst winds are expected, with gusts peaking up to 100km/h in the CBD.
Rest of Friday: Hail with patchy showers, and potential thunderstorms in the afternoon with a maximum of just 11 degrees.
If help from VICSES is needed, call 132 500.
In a life-threatening emergency, call triple zero.
Report road hazards to VicRoads' traffic management centre on 13 11 70.