weather: A mix of sunshine and storm clouds as the changes sweep over Ballarat yesterday. Picture: Justin Whitelock
Strong wind gusts and driving rain pelted Ballarat and surrounds briefly yesterday afternoon, but not enough to cause significant movement in the rain gauge.
Ballarat State Emergency Services volunteers responded to three calls for help in the Elaine area following reports of trees down over roads.
But no major incidents were recorded in Ballarat.
Yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Victoria – including Ballarat – as strong winds and short bursts of rain swept across the state from South Australia.
Weatherzone meteorologist Josh Fisher said the band of thunderstorms hit Ballarat between 5pm and 6.30pm.
Mr Fisher said the storm had brought wind gusts of up to 90 km/h as it passed through Naracoorte, South Australia.
“Winds of this strength can bring down some trees and also cause minor structural damage,” Mr Fisher said.
“This band of thunderstorms was pretty thin (and was) relatively short-lived.”
Mr Fisher said a cooler, westerly change was expected to follow last night’s storms.
“This will keep temperatures down by as much as 10 degrees over the weekend,” he said.
The mercury hit 26 degrees at 3pm in Ballarat yesterday.
Today, a maximum temperature of just 16 degrees is forecast, with 15 degrees forecast for tomorrow.
Another burst of southerly winds is expected to pass through Ballarat on Monday, bringing even colder temperatures.
“From the middle of next week, a high pressure system will allow conditions to clear, so it will gradually warm up to about 21 degrees on Thursday,” Mr Fisher said
