Severe Thunderstorms in Victoria

Photograph of lightning hitting 120 Collins St Melbourne, October 1994. Courtesy of Mike Maxwell

Thunderstorms range in intensity from those that bring cooling rain after a scorching summer's day, to severe storms so powerful that large trees and sometimes houses cannot stand in their path. Each year on average, several people die and millions dollars worth of damage is caused, as a result of severe thunderstorm activity in Australia.

The Severe Weather Warning Service is one of the Bureau of Meteorology's highest priority programs and operates to minimise the loss of life, property damage and community disruption generated by severe storms.  

• What is a Severe Thunderstorm?
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning Service and safety
• Storm Spotters

The information contained within this site has been prepared by the Bureau of Meteorology's Severe Weather Section in Victoria. Statistics are from the Bureau of Meteorology severe thunderstorm archive which is collated from many sources including the Bureau's observational and Storm Spotter Networks, media reports, scientific papers and information provided by the public.