Australia

Weatherzone -- A broad trough and moist onshore winds have caused yet more heavy rainfall over much of Queensland in the last few days.

In Tasmania's south, Hobart residents woke yesterday morning to snow on Mount Wellington.

A strong cold front which passed over the city last night has left snow on Mount Wellington.

The temperature on the mountain was sitting at -3 degrees yesterday morning.

The Bureau's Tim Bolden said there should have been enough snow to play in for the rest of the day.

As humid, wet, conditions continue to affect New Zealand, Western Australia is also being hit - but much harder.

Two consignments of food, water and other supplies are on the way to flood victims in the towns of Carnavon and Gascoyne Junction in Western Australia.

The worst flooding in 50 years has stranded the two communities.

Refugee workers in Australia are blaming government policies for the latest boat people tragedy.

It's believed up to 50 asylum-seekers died after their wooden fishing boat smashed against jagged rocks on Christmas Island, off the north-west coast of Australia.

Queensland is bracing for another wet week but downpours won't be as heavy and widespread, minimising flood risks, forecasters say.

Emergency services are still mopping up in towns across central Queensland following weekend floods.

This week Melbourne and parts of Victoria have been hit by severe thunderstorms, some causing flash flooding.

This raw video, captured by YouTube user Mezut360 shows flash flooding after a thunderstorm on a main road in Melbourne stranding motorists.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Melbourne area.

The bureau says severe thunderstorms have been detected on the radar east of Kilmore and near Whittlesea, north of Melbourne.

The weather bureau says there could be damaging winds, flash flooding and large hailstones.

Another Qantas jet has been involved in a mid-air scare - this time after being struck by lightning.

The 717 regional plane landed for inspections soon after take-off on Tuesday on its way from Alice Springs to Darwin.

Qantas said there were no engine issues and it was "just protocol" to carry out inspections after the lightning strike.

A massive thunderstorm pounded much of Sydney last night with hail,and torrential rain city wide says or Australian based reporter Claire Martin.

Ms Martin, who lives in Sydney, says the hail was "crazy" and expected some damage by day break today.

At 11pm NZT last night thunderstorms stretched from several hundred kilometres south east of Sydney to around one thousand kilometres north west towards Alice Springs.

The Melbourne Cup is here with the big race at about 5pm NZT.

The forecast for Melbourne isn't too flash either.  After one of the wettest Octobers on record the forecast for Melbourne today is for a mostly cloudy day with a few showers developing during the morning and a cool south west change arriving by afternoon.