Storm warnings issued for Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane as cold front brings hail and wind

Storm warnings have been issued for Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane as a cold front sweeps across Australia's east and south‑east, the Guardian reported.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts hail, damaging winds and possible flash flooding across Victoria, New South Wales and parts of Queensland into Sunday.

Heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms are expected to hit Melbourne and eastern Victoria on Saturday afternoon, where the cold front will clash with warm, humid air.

The alerts cover several capital cities, prompting authorities to monitor conditions closely and advise residents to stay alert.

Why it matters

The weather system could bring hail, strong winds and flash flooding to densely populated areas, posing risks to life and property.

Key details

Location

Australia · Oceania

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

31 Oct 2026, 11:35 IST

Key names

Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane

Section

Environment

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianStorm warnings for Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane as cold front ‘packs a punch’ 31 Oct, 11:35

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

Spotted an error? Request a correction · How this summary was produced