Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Damaging Winds

for Central, Mallee, South West, North Central, Wimmera and parts of East Gippsland, Northern Country, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:44 am Wednesday, 22 January 2020.

Strong and gusty winds ahead of and with a strong cold front Wednesday

Weather Situation
A strong cold front will approach Victoria from the west Wednesday, reaching the southwest during the afternoon and crossing to the east by Thursday morning. Strengthening north to northwesterly winds shifting squally west to southwesterly with the front.
DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, South West, Northern Country, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera
DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 50 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are forecast to develop over western and central areas of the State from Wednesday morning, more likely over elevated areas. Squalls to 90km/h are also possible with thunderstorms near and ahead of the cold front.
DAMAGING WINDS with squalls to 90km/h are possible over inland western areas and along the west and central coastal fringe following the cold front on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
The risk of DAMAGING WINDS will extend to eastern elevated areas later Wednesday afternoon and evening. Winds will increase to average 60 to 80 km/h with peak gusts to 110 km/h over Alpine areas above 1500m in the northeast Wednesday night.
Winds are expected to moderate within an hour or two following the front.
Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Horsham, Warrnambool, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne.
Strongest wind gusts recorded to 10:30am include 97 km/h at Mt William and 91 km/h at Mt Gellibrand.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Be aware that trees that have been damaged by heat or fire may be unstable and more likely to fall when it is windy or wet.
* Check that loose items such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured and move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines always assume they are live.
* Stay informed monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency.

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

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

Marine Wind Warning Summary for Victoria

Issued at 10:00 AM EDT on Wednesday 22 January 2020
for the period until midnight EDT Thursday 23 January 2020

Wind Warnings for Wednesday 22 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Port Phillip, Western Port, Gippsland Lakes, West Coast, Central Coast, Central Gippsland Coast and East Gippsland Coast

Wind Warnings for Thursday 23 January
Gale Warning for the following areas:
West Coast, Central Coast and Central Gippsland Coast
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Port Phillip and East Gippsland Coast

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 4:40 pm EDT Wednesday.
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Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local
Waters Forecast at http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/map.shtml for information on wind,
wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.
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