Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Furneaux Islands, North East, East Coast, North West Coast and parts of Central North, Central Plateau, Western and Midlands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:21 pm Friday, 29 November 2024.

Heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts developing over the north and east on Saturday evening.

Weather Situation: A low pressure system will deepen as it moves south over Bass Strait during Saturday, with an associated deep trough moving steadily south across Tasmania overnight Saturday into Sunday. A strong and very moist easterly wind flow will accompany this feature, leading to the risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall and damaging wind gusts. Conditions will generally ease following the passage of the trough, although some thunderstorm activity may persist.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop over the North East and East Coast districts on Saturday evening, and may also spread west across northern Tasmania during this time period. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 and 60 mm are likely, with isolated amounts reaching 100 mm possible over the northeast. Locally intense rainfall which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING are possible if thunderstorm activity can develop about the North East and East Coast, with six-hour totals potentially reaching 125 mm.

Easterly winds with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS in excess of 80 km/h are likely to develop over the North East and East Coast districts on Saturday evening, particularly about the coast and elevated terrain. These conditions may also develop further westwards across northern Tasmania in this time frame.

These conditions are expected to spread to parts of southeastern Tasmania and the central plateau on Sunday, while easing over the north of the state.

A Flood Watch is current for North, North West, North East, South East, and Derwent Catchments, see http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Devonport, Burnie, Smithton, Scottsdale, Whitemark, St Helens, Swansea, Bicheno and Orford.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Supervise children closely.
* Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings.
* Manage pets and livestock.
* Clear drains and gutters on premises prior to severe weather arriving.
* Do not walk, ride or drive through flood waters.
* Be prepared in case of power outages and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004.
* Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment.
* 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.