Melbourne Spring Carnival weather: BOM warns of severe storms, damaging winds and rain for Derby Day
Thousands of racegoers face a miserable start to Melbourne’s Spring Carnival, with the weather bureau issuing a warning.
Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival is set for a soggy start, with racegoers warned to brace for thunderstorms, damaging winds and heavy rain.
Thousands of punters heading to Flemington for Derby Day on Saturday could be drenched before the first race, with showers expected to intensify just as crowds begin arriving at the racecourse.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned up to 15mm of rain could fall across the day, while severe thunderstorms could bring damaging wind gusts.
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“Unfortunately, today’s beautiful weather won’t kick on into the long weekend,” Mr How said.
“We are expecting quite a significant shift in the weather from tomorrow.”
Cloud is expected to build overnight, with rain developing around dawn before becoming heavier throughout the morning.
“It really starts to pick up through the morning as people start to pass through the gate,” Mr How said.
“We’ll see showers increasing. Very windy as well.”
Severe thunderstorms threaten Flemington
The worst conditions could arrive late Saturday morning or early afternoon, when thunderstorms are forecast to sweep through Melbourne.
Mr Howe warned racegoers could be caught in particularly dangerous conditions if a severe storm passes directly over Flemington.
“There is the risk of damaging winds, and so certainly could be very gusty if we do get a shower with thunderstorm moving right over Flemington tomorrow,” he said.
Between 5mm and 15mm of rain is forecast, although the final total will depend on whether thunderstorms hit the racecourse.
“The 15 millimetres sort of depends if we do get a shower right over Flemington, so we’re keeping a close eye on the radar,” Mr How said.
While temperatures are expected to reach 24C, the warm conditions could be deceptive.
“Don’t be fooled,” Mr How warned, explaining that strong winds would make conditions feel cooler before a southwesterly change arrives during the afternoon.
There is some relief in sight for racegoers staying into the evening, with showers and storms expected to gradually clear by late afternoon or early evening.
Melbourne Cup Day forecast looking gloomy
Saturday’s soaking could be just the beginning, with rain forecast on every day leading up to the Melbourne Cup.
Sunday is expected to bring a few showers and a cooler maximum of 21C before another rain band moves across Victoria on Monday.
Up to 15mm of rain could fall on Monday, with another chance of thunderstorms as wet weather develops from late morning.
And while Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup is expected to escape the worst of the downpours, racegoers should still prepare for a cloudy, cool and potentially wet day.
Temperatures are forecast to reach just 19C, with cool southerly winds and showers most likely during the morning and early afternoon.
“Unfortunately, not the best forecast for the next four days. Each day does have the chance of rain,” Mr How said.
But there is some hope for the thousands of punters expected to pack Flemington for the race that stops the nation.
“Thankfully, Cup Day itself, hopefully the heaviest of the rainfall will be done by the time the race is run,” he said.
For now, racegoers planning their Spring Carnival outfits might want to make room for an umbrella.
