News

How wild weather could lead to power outages this week

Source Weatherzone Sun 25 May 2025

Utility companies across southeast Australia are bracing for wild weather early this week with indications that South Australia could see the greatest impacts on Monday. The main hazards with this event will be severe thunderstorms and damaging-to-destructive winds. Both of these hazards can lead to power outages. As you can imagine, lightning associated with severe thunderstorms can strike power lines, transformers and substations, resulting in an outage. Additionally damaging winds can lead to outages in the following ways: Downed power lines: High winds can cause trees or large branches to fall onto power lines, breaking them or bringing them down entirely. This is one of the most common causes of wind-related power outages. Direct damage to infrastructure: Extremely strong winds can damage electrical poles, transformers, and other power distribution equipment. Flying debris: Wind can pick up and propel objects like signs, roofing materials, or other debris, which can then collide with and damage power lines or equipment. Overloaded systems: In some cases, strong winds can cause power lines to sway and touch each other, creating surges that can overload transformers or other components of the electrical grid. Equipment malfunctions: Sustained high winds can cause wear and tear on electrical equipment, potentially leading to malfunctions or failures. Preventive shutoffs: In areas prone to wildfires, utility companies may preemptively shut off power during high wind events to prevent electrical equipment from potentially sparking fires. Difficulty in repairs: Strong winds can also hamper repair efforts, making it challenging for utility workers to safely access and fix damaged equipment, potentially prolonging outages. While the wild weather will be conducive to power outages early this week, the good news is that a ridge of high pressure will develop over southeast Australia from Wednesday, leading to more tranquil conditions for the latter half of the week. Be sure to check the latest weather warnings as this situation unfolds. - Weatherzone © Weatherzone 2025