Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for DAMAGING WINDS

For people in East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland and parts of Central, South West, North Central and North East Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:29 am Wednesday, 21 August 2019.

Strong and squally winds near the coast and across the southeast.

Weather Situation:
Westerly winds will strengthen ahead of a cold front which will pass across southern Victoria tonight. Wind will shift squally southwesterly following the front.

DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 50 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h, are expected about exposed parts of the Gippsland coast, Strzelecki and Otway Ranges and also Alpine areas (above 1200m) today. Wind gusts may reach 110 km/hr in the far east late tonight and Thursday morning.

Tonight, the risk of damaging winds is expected to extend over the Mornington Peninsula, eastern parts of the Central district and the remainder of Gippsland. Winds will ease from the west during Thursday morning and are likely to ease in the far east by late Thursday afternoon.

Locations which may be affected include Frankston, Warragul, Wonthaggi, Morwell, Traralgon, Sale, Moe, Bairnsdale and Orbost.

Strongest wind gusts so far today:

Wilsons Promontory 120km/h 12:41am Wednesday

Gabo Island 96km/h 07:36am Wednesday

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees;
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony;
* Keep clear of fallen power lines;


The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Wednesday.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.