Thunderstorms disrupted the Melbourne commute on Tuesday morning, with the heaviest rain in five months for the city.

A low pressure trough, laden with moisture, was slowly crossing Victoria sparking thunderstorms and dumping the heavy rain. In the past 24 hours more than 16,000 lightning strikes have been recorded state-wide.

Rain and storms brought 18mm of rain to Melbourne between 1am and 9am, which is its heaviest rain since June and brings the November total to 32mm, which still only half of the monthly average. Other high totals around the region include Laverton, which recorded 28mm and Clayton South with 27mm.

The storms were also accompanied by strong winds, St Kilda recorded wind gusts up to 80km/h.

Thunderstorm activity will continue for much of today with further falls of 10-15mm expected, possibly up to 20-30mm.

After today temperatures will steadily rise to a scorcher on Thursday when an extremely hot airmass is expected to bring a top in the mid-thirties.

–Weatherzone.com.au