Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in King Island, Furneaux Islands, Western, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, North East, East Coast, North West Coast, Central North, Central Plateau and Midlands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:00 am Friday, 30 August 2024.

Damaging winds expected this morning, temporarily easing this afternoon.

Weather Situation: A strong cold front is currently moving eastwards across Tasmania, and will move east of the state later this morning. A series of fronts embedded in a vigorous westerly airstream will then continue to affect Tasmania from later today and through the weekend.

DAMAGING NORTHWESTERLY TO WESTERLY WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 110 km/h are likely to persist for another few hours, before easing for a few hours from mid-morning today.

Winds are likely to strengthen again from around midday, particularly about the west and north of the state where DAMAGING WESTERLY WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to around 100 km/h will again be possible from late this afternoon and evening. Gusts to 110km/h are also possible with showers and thunderstorms across the west coast, north coast and Bass Strait Islands.

Winds will likely intensify again on Friday night into Saturday morning, and periods of severe weather are likely to persist over Tasmania for the next several days.

Locations which may be affected include Devonport, Burnie, Launceston, St Helens, Swansea, Strahan, New Norfolk and Hobart.

Wind gusts recorded in the past 6 hours include:

127 km/h at Maatsuyker Island

128 km/h at kunanyi/Mt Wellington

117 km/h at Cape Grim

109 km/h at King Island Airport

109 km/h at Devonport Airport

104 km/h at Burnie

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Supervise children closely.
* Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings.
* Manage pets and livestock.
* Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment.
* Be prepared in case of power outages and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004.
* Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving.
* Listen to the ABC radio or check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132500.