Batten down the hatches: parts of Victoria are bracing for heavy rainfall and large hailstones expected to hit on Thursday morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning just after 8am, saying the extreme weather conditions should affect Victoria's north-west and towns north-west of Melbourne in the next few hours.
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Melbourne's 'one-in-100-year' storm
Homes flooded, rivers gushing and cars floating away - all scenes from last week's massive downpour across Melbourne and the aftermath.
The State Emergency Service is advising people in areas expected to be affected such as Horsham, Bendigo, Maryborough, Castlemaine, Kyneton and Ballarat to stay indoors if possible.
"Slow moving severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours," the bureau's website warns.
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In Melbourne, the weather bureau said there was a high chance of a thunderstorm and showers both in the morning and afternoon, with possible hail this afternoon. Fire danger as listed as high, with an uncomfortable climb to 30 to 31 degrees between 1pm and 6pm.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Stephen King said the intensity of the rainfall won't be as strong as last week's deluge, but we should see "decent" falls of 20mm to 50mm.
Also of concern was large hail. "The storms are very unstable, which means they get much higher in the atmosphere, so it's much more conducive to large hail developing."
Mr King said thunderstorms were most likely this afternoon across Melbourne's northern suburbs, and before a southerly wind change, the temperature would hit 31 degrees.
"We'll see thunderstorms develop on that boundary, and as the day progresses, that southerly will move northward across the Melbourne area."
The UV index is predicted to reach 13, in the Extreme category.
The severe thunderstorm warning applies to the Mallee, Wimmera, and parts of Central, south-west, northern country and north central forecasts districts.
The State Emergency Service warned people to stay indoors if possible, avoid using the phone during the storm, and switch off electrical appliances. If you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees and listen to the radio for storm updates.
The SES advised people to move cars under cover or away from trees, keep clear of creeks and storm drains and don't drive, ride or walk through flood water. People should also beware of landslides and debris across roads.
For more information, see the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 217.