Melbourne could get its wettest January since 2011, with widespread heavy rainfalls expected in the state over the next few days.
The northern parts of Victoria could get up to 100 millimetres of rain at the weekend and on Monday, while Melbourne could see as much as 70 millimetres.
Victorians are being warned that the deluge could lead to flash flooding in some parts of the state. The rain will bring relief to parched areas under bushfire threat.
Bureau of Metrology forecaster Stephen King said the rain would start on Friday and continue at the weekend until Monday.
Melbourne could expect between 50 and 70 millimetres over the four-day period, while other parts of Victoria could get between 50 and 100 millimetres.
“That will be just on and north of the ranges and potentially just north of the Mallee as well,” he said.
Some areas could get more than double their monthly rainfall average from the downpours.
Mr King said the last time Melbourne had such a wet start to the year was in January 2011, when there was 90 millimetres of rain in the month.
The rain has come from a tropical low pressure system originating in the Indian Ocean off the north of Western Australia, which will also bring higher humidity.
Weatherzone meteorologist Max Gonzalez said there would be some showers early on Friday before heavier falls later in the day and overnight.
He forecast there would be as much as 10 to 15 millimetres of rain in Melbourne each day from Friday to Sunday, before falls of 10 to 20 millimetres on Monday.
“The light at the end of the tunnel for those who want some sunshine isn’t until Tuesday or Wednesday,” he said.
The expected top temperature on Friday is 19 degrees.
