A band of rain and the lingering after effects of a massive dust storm in the Mallee region have conspired to turn Melbourne a lovely shade of rusty brown overnight, leaving pools and rivers dirt brown and muddying up cars across the city.
[jwplayer pOY47Nlb]
The rather unusual phenomena was the result of a duo of weather issues happening at the same time in the same place. Remnants of the massive dust clouds near the NSW border are said to have drifted down across the Victorian capital; a not-unusual occurrence that was largely invisible to the casual observer.
However the large band of rain that swept across the city last night forced the dust to the ground, raining rusty brown water virtually all night long.
The Yarra River, snaking through the centre of the city, has turned a muddy brown – or, specifically, a more muddier brown than it usually is.
Splendid views of the Yarra River this morning 😬 pic.twitter.com/rs0Ag1GT1h
— Brooke Grebert-Craig (@brooke_gc) January 22, 2020
@3AW693 the Yarra River at Abbortsford now pic.twitter.com/ngBSKcV3lm
— Terry Lonergan (@tezlon50) January 22, 2020
Amazing view of the Yarra River this morning, following last night’s heavy rain & dust storm 📸: @PizaMatt pic.twitter.com/3ozVEU7lOF
— Alicia Muling (@AliciaMuling9) January 22, 2020
Yarra River turns brown after last nights crazy rain and dust storm! #melbourneweather #melbourne pic.twitter.com/PUN7RGcFT5
— Tim Hipsley (@TimHipsley) January 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/arthurathana/status/1220078161427189760
Meanwhile residents cars and pools copped it sweet, with the dust rain heralding the start of a bumper long weekend for the automated car wash and pool cleaning industries in the city.
Cars were covered in dust and combined with the rain made for a muddy start to the day. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/notapRXhXo
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) January 22, 2020
Remember how I mentioned it was smoky yesterday in Melbourne? This is what cars looked like late last night / early this morning after a rainstorm carried reddish dust /smoke particles into the city. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XK8lsUGvVo
— Annie Bergeron-Oliver (@AnnieClaireBO) January 22, 2020
@BOM_Vic is the rain tonight safe? Is this normal for Melbourne? pic.twitter.com/5M2P7nOYJV
— Oneeb Munawar (@oneeb) January 22, 2020
Rain in Melbourne was v dirty tonight pic.twitter.com/8bZEdOnV4v
— Scott (@wheresscott_) January 22, 2020
Looks like last night Melbourne got a dirty dump of rain and dust. 😩 pic.twitter.com/yuy9ZTZZRB
— Darren Rowse (@problogger) January 22, 2020
Loving the Melbourne rain in January but looks like it’s dumped some serious dust all over town. Note our lovely pool. I might go yabbying in that later today 😀😀 pic.twitter.com/21c3498g3j
— Chris Ridd (@Chris_Ridd) January 22, 2020
The storm in Melbourne has turned our pool green & orange because of all the dirt 😵 #melbweather pic.twitter.com/ftLY70fafR
— Adelaid (@Adelaid_H) January 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/aubreyhughes/status/1220089666189217793
Picked a hell of a day to set up a pool for 12-year-old’s birthday party. #brownrain #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/gJruKlNeOb
— Sean Dooley (@Twitchathon) January 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/nikgoodfellow/status/1220083229161484288
My pool which was clear and blue yesterday, looks like this, this morning after last night’s dust storm hit Melbourne. How’s your place looking? pic.twitter.com/f1hxDQUuTY
— Dee Dee Dunleavy (@DeeDeeDunleavy) January 22, 2020
The rain was also enough to close Burnley Station due to flooding, with trains skipping the station across the morning commute.
From today, weather in Melbourne is expected to improve significantly, with rain clearing mid-morning and winds easing throughout the day, ahead of a pleasant and – dare I say it – sunny and mild patch of days for the long weekend.
This has been Weather Corner.
