Victoria’s Cape Paterson looked like a snowfield after it was hit by a large hailstorm
© Luke Watson/TwitterVictoria’s Cape Paterson looked like a snowfield after it was hit by a large hailstorm.

The sandy beaches of Victoria's Cape Paterson turned white on Friday after the coastal hamlet was blanketed by a freak hailstorm.

Victorians were bracing for huge rainfall and chilly temperatures as a cold front moves across the state from the south-west throughout the day, with 50mm of rain already soaking some towns west of Melbourne.

But for the residents of Cape Paterson, in Gippsland and about 150km south-east of Melbourne, the stormy weather came with a surprise.

The seaside village resembled a snowfield, forcing residents to shovel hail from their doorsteps, while videos posted to social media showed hail covering local roads.

"I've grown up here and it's not something I've ever seen before," said Glenn Sullivan, who lives in nearby Wonthaggi. "The whole beach was covered. Everyone was just stunned by it. It was an amazing thing to see."


Sullivan drove down to Cape Paterson after he spotted the "static" storm clouds on the horizon as he was out cycling in the region.

"I drove out there and as I got to the town, and to the beach, there was ice that was touching the bottom of my car. It was about 10cm-15cm high," he said.

The hailstorm prompted a warning from the state's emergency services, which flagged the potential for flash-flooding and other dangerous conditions. The bureau put in place a severe weather warning, saying on Friday afternoon that between 10mm and 15mm had fallen in some suburbs throughout the city.

Strong wind warnings were also in place for Western Ports and Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay area, as well as parts of the Gippsland coast.

Friday had been tipped to be Melbourne's wettest day of the year, with at least 11mm expected, although forecasters later said it was unlikely enough rain would fall for that to eventuate.

The regional centres of Bendigo, Ballarat, Seymour, Wonthaggi and Bacchus Marsh were also likely to be drenched later on Friday.

The heaviest rainfall was expected west of the city, with the beachside town of Aireys Inlet receiving 53mm while 40mm was recorded in Ballarat.