Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:53 am Tuesday, 27 August 2024.
DAMAGING WINDS increasing today. LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE over Alpine areas tonight.

Weather Situation: A deep, complex low-pressure system well to the south extends a cold front which will approach Victoria later today and cross the State early Wednesday. This, combined with a persistent belt of high pressure across central Australia will result in a strengthening northwesterly gradient across the State during the day. A vigorous westerly airstream will extend across the State with and following the front on Wednesday.
DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 50 to 60km/h with gusts to around 90 to 100km/h over central and western elevated parts of the warning area including the Otways and Grampians as well as eastern Alpine peaks.

Winds further strengthening during this afternoon ahead of the front to average 60 to 70km/h with gusts to 100km/h over all elevated parts of the warning area and possibly extending southwards to adjacent lower elevations including parts of Melbourne in the afternoon, but more likely overnight with the risk extending to include remaining coastal locations.

ALPINE AREAS: DESTRUCTIVE WINDS, averaging around 65 to 80 km/h with gusts up to 130km/h are possible over Alpine peaks overnight tonight with gusts up to 110km/h across remaining areas above 1000m over eastern Victoria. Winds should ease to average 50 to 60km/h with gusts to 100km/h following the frontal passage early Wednesday.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 50 to 60km/h with gusts to 100km/h are possible with and following the cold front with associated squally showers over the far southwest coast from late this afternoon, extending eastwards with the front and most likely affecting coastal areas throughout the night. From late Wednesday morning winds strengthening to average 60 to 70km/h with gusts to 100km/h across much of the south and west.

Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.

Aireys Inlet recorded a gust to 93km/h at 8:25am
Wilsons Promontory recorded a gust to 94km/h at 10:26am

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. 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.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.