On 2 April 2008 very strong northerly winds developed across central and western Victoria. Maximum wind gusts in Victoria were recorded at Mt Gellibrand at 131 km per hour, Dunns Hill in the Dandenongs at 115 km per hour and Melbourne Airport 107 km per hour. Areas of raised dust were reported from the western half of the state, with visibility down to 200 m in some places.

The heaviest rainfall totals were from Falls Creek (Rocky Valley Dam) with 50 mm and Wilsons Promontory with 26 mm. The storm sent vegetation and debris flying, caused major disruption to Melbourne traffic and public transport systems and extensive damage to the electricity distribution network. Lanes were closed on the Westgate bridge where wind gusts were close to 120 km per hour, many traffic lights were out and conditions on the roads were chaotic.

Several boats were washed ashore at Mornington, where large waves were observed. There were reports that two people died as a result of this storm in Victoria. More than 9,500 requests for assistance were received by emergency service agencies across the State between 2-7 April 2008 as a result of this event. The Department of Human Services (DHS) coordinated Red Cross and local government to support the community with recovery, distributing 864 personal hardship grants totalling $240,115.

South Australia An intense low on 2 April produced widespread wind gusts in excess of 90 km per hour across the Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island and the South East districts of South Australia. Tasmania A deep low pressure system passed close to Tasmania bringing destructive winds from late 2nd April until early the next day with individual wind gusts well over 100 km per hour recorded at several locations. More than 40,000 premises lost power with at least 200 fallen power lines caused road closures.

Many buildings lost their roofs. The pressure at Maatsuyker Island dipped to 966.2 hPa on 3 April the second lowest mean sea level pressure ever reported in Tasmania. Strong and gusty winds on 2 April caused a dust storm in the southern Midlands. The estimated damage bill was around two million dollars.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 2008 damage at $65 million across the three states, with the 2011 estimated normalised cost of $79 million.