Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in South West, North Central, Wimmera and parts of Central, Mallee, Northern Country and North East Forecast Districts.

Issued at 7:51 pm Friday, 27 February 2026.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS WITH INTENSE RAINFALL OVER PARTS OF THE CENTRAL, NORTH CENTRAL AND WIMMERA DISTRICTS. Other severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and damaging winds over parts of Victoria.

Weather Situation: Slow-moving thunderstorms are continuing in a very humid environment, bringing heavy to intense rainfall and damaging winds to parts of Victoria this afternoon.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Wimmera district. Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Warracknabeal and Nhill.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central and North Central districts. Locations which may be affected include Daylesford and Kyneton.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the South West, North Central, Wimmera and parts of the Central, Mallee, Northern Country and North East districts. Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Stawell and Bacchus Marsh.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the West and South Gippsland district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

42.4 MM WAS RECORDED AT HORSHAM IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 7:30 PM.

44.0 MM WAS RECORDED AT LILYDALE LAKE IN THE 60 MINUTES TO 5:00 PM.

124 km/h wind gust was recorded at Horsham Airport at 07:03 pm.

37.4 mm was recorded at Droomers in the 3 hours to 6:15 pm.

31.0 mm was recorded at Beenak in the 60 minutes to 6:00 pm.

21.6 mm was recorded at Mt Evelyn in the 30 minutes to 5:00 pm.

30.6 mm was recorded at Gibbo River in the 60 minutes to 4:00 pm.

24.2 mm was recorded at Tambo River (Swifts Creek) in the 30 minutes to 2:00 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.