UPDATE: The Bureau of Meteorology has now cancelled its earlier tornado warning.
The BOM told HuffPost Australia that the potential for damaging winds, rain and large hail still remains along the southern outer suburbs of Melbourne, but that the storm was heading in a south-easterly direction.
EARLIER: The Bureau of Meteorology issued a tornado warning for the Melbourne area on Thursday afternoon.
The BOM said at 2pm it had received "several reports of Tornadoes from Craigeburn, Campbellfied and Tullamarine area" on Thursday, and sent further warnings for areas including Port Phillip, Inner East, Inner, South East, Western and parts of the Mornington Peninsula, Northern, Outer East and Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula
"The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 1:50 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Bulla. These thunderstorms are moving towards the south. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Melbourne Airport, St Albans, Sydenham and Williamstown by 2:20 pm and northern Port Phillip Bay, waters off Brighton beach, waters off Pt Cook and waters off Sandringham by 2:50 pm," the BOM release warned.
It added "THIS INCLUDES A TORNADO WARNING" (emphasis and capitals, theirs)
"Destructive winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and tornadoes are likely."
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Central, Northern Country, North Central, North East and parts of the Mallee, South West, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera districts.
Racing at Flemington has been delayed indefinitely, with the race course's Twitter account advising punters to head indoors. This video captured the weather at Flemington.
While this lady took advantage of a racetrack empty of punters to take a leisurely jog.
The BOM says tornadoes are exceedingly rare, with its severe thunderstorm database logging only 160 tornado reports since 1918.
For SES assistance call 132 500
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 217.
The BOM says tornadoes are exceedingly rare, with its logging only 160 tornado reports since 1918.
For SES assistance call 132 500
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 217.