Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Initial Minor Flood Warning For The Avoca River
Issued at 03:56 PM AEDT on Sunday 01 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 1

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT CHARLTON TOWN FROM MONDAY EVENING WITH FORECAST RAINFALL
Areas of widespread moderate to heavy rainfall with embedded thunderstorms are forecast to develop during Sunday, continuing into Monday. This forecast rainfall is likely to cause river level rises across the Avoca River from Monday morning, with minor flooding possible at Charlton Town from Monday evening. Higher levels are possible with forecast rainfall. This flood warning will be updated as required.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of Central, North West and South West Victoria, including the Avoca catchment. A Severe Weather Warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall, is current for parts of Victoria.

Avoca River to Charlton Town:
Minor flooding is possible along the Avoca River.
The Avoca River at Charlton Town is currently at 2.63 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
With forecast rainfall, the Avoca River at Charlton Town may reach around the minor flood level (4.00 m) from Monday evening. Higher levels are possible.

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 12:00 PM AEDT on Monday 02 March 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Avoca River at Archdale Junction,-0.09,steady,3:00 pm Sun 01/03/26
Avoca River at Yawong Weir,-0.32,steady,3:00 pm Sun 01/03/26
Avoca River at Charlton Town,2.63,steady,3:00 pm Sun 01/03/26
Avoca River at Charlton (Downstream),0.51,steady,3:00 pm Sun 01/03/26
Avoca River at Quambatook,-1.10,steady,3:00 pm Sun 01/03/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for Mallee, Northern Country, Wimmera and parts of Central, South West, North Central and North East Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:58 am Sunday, 1 March 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL POSSIBLE IN THE NORTHWEST, SPREADING EASTWARDS AND BECOMING LIKELY TONIGHT

Weather Situation
Tropical humidity is expected to continue to increase on the eastern flank of a low in South Australia, persisting a broad region of rain with isolated thunderstorms in the northwest of the state. A trough is expected to push into the west of the state tonight, increasing rain and thunderstorm activity and the risk of heavy to locally intense falls. This will spread eastwards to central parts on Monday.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Central, Mallee, South West, Northern Country, North Central, North East and Wimmera
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible about the warning area today, however is more likely about western districts this evening and central districts into Monday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 60 mm are likely.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible throughout the warning area with thunderstorms from this afternoon, however is most likely about the Mallee from this evening and into parts of the northeast Wimmera, western Northern Country, western North Central and far northeastern South West forecast districts into Monday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 to 100 mm are possible.
Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Horsham, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat and Wangaratta.
Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Sunday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for Mallee, Northern Country, Wimmera and parts of Central, South West, North Central and North East Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:58 am Sunday, 1 March 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL POSSIBLE IN THE NORTHWEST, SPREADING EASTWARDS AND BECOMING LIKELY TONIGHT

Weather Situation
Tropical humidity is expected to continue to increase on the eastern flank of a low in South Australia, persisting a broad region of rain with isolated thunderstorms in the northwest of the state. A trough is expected to push into the west of the state tonight, increasing rain and thunderstorm activity and the risk of heavy to locally intense falls. This will spread eastwards to central parts on Monday.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Central, Mallee, South West, Northern Country, North Central, North East and Wimmera
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible about the warning area today, however is more likely about western districts this evening and central districts into Monday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 60 mm are likely.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible throughout the warning area with thunderstorms from this afternoon, however is most likely about the Mallee from this evening and into parts of the northeast Wimmera, western Northern Country, western North Central and far northeastern South West forecast districts into Monday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 to 100 mm are possible.
Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Horsham, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat and Wangaratta.
Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Sunday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.