Australia braces for storms, hail and strong winds across south-east

Now to a TODAY weather alert. Thunderstorms and heavy rain is expected to smash parts of the country today, while others enjoy a summer like heat wave. For more, you're joined by senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury from the Weather Bureau. Good morning, Miriam. Tell us which state is going to be most affected by these tough conditions? Well, the focus for the thunderstorms today is really going to be Victoria. We are going to see the severe thunderstorms likely through much of central inland Victoria, possibly reaching those northern suburbs of Melbourne, but it will also spill over into southern NSW, parts of the Riverina as well. Now, in those severe thunderstorm areas, we could see widespread damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall is possible but less likely. The wind risk is the main thing we're focused on because winds of that strength with thunderstorms can bring down trees and power lines, leading to dangerous driving conditions, possibly even power outages. So if you live anywhere in Victoria, but also anywhere in southeast SA and southern NSW, be aware of this severe storm risk today. And how long will this wild weather continue for? Well, we are in for a pretty spring like week. And when I say spring like I mean with some windy cold fronts moving across the South through the course of this week. So storms today is the major focus. But we also do have severe weather warnings for damaging winds that come into effect this evening into the early hours of tomorrow morning about the Eastern Ranges. And that's not the only windy. This week. We are expecting an extremely windy day on Tuesday with further warnings likely. OK. So talk us through these warnings we need to know about. Well, today, really keep an eye out for thunderstorm warnings. They will tell you exactly where and those most severe thunderstorms may be developing and when they might hit you. Keep an eye on the radar as well to keep yourself as up to date as possible. Then after the storms ease back later this evening, we move into those severe weather warnings for damaging winds. Again, mainly about the eastern Alpine areas tonight, but on Tuesday, they're likely to be much, much more widespread across the Southeast states. OK, Miriam, plenty in store for us. Thank you so much for the update.