Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 4:57 pm Saturday, 31 August 2024.

Damaging winds continuing with DESTRUCTIVE WINDS developing about coastal and alpine areas late Sunday.

Weather Situation: A vigorous west to northwesterly airstream is bringing damaging winds to parts of the state, easing slightly overnight. Winds are expected to strengthen again Sunday afternoon, ahead of a strong cold front. Conditions are expected to ease throughout the state on Monday morning.

DESTRUCTIVE WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS with peak gusts of up to 130 km/h are possible from Sunday evening at coastal locations from the South Australian border to Bellarine Peninsula, southeastern Melbourne suburbs, and Mornington Peninsula to Wilsons Promontory, primarily in showers.

FOR CENTRAL VICTORIA INCLUDING MELBOURNE METROPOLITAN: DAMAGING WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS averaging 50 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible from late Sunday afternoon.

FOR WESTERN VICTORIA, THE GEELONG AREA, THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA, GIPPSLAND: DAMAGING WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS averaging 50 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible about coastal areas this evening, extending throughout western districts on Sunday, and Gippsland during Sunday evening.

FOR THE NORTHEAST RANGES: DAMAGING WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to 100 km/h are possible throughout the weekend. DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS up to 130 km/h are possible from Sunday evening.

A Coastal Hazard Warning is also current for the Victorian coastline. Please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.

Significant wind observations to 4:30PM AEST Saturday include:
115 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount Buller at 4:03 pm.
113 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount Hotham at 4:28 pm.
107 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount William at 4:00 am.
104 km/h wind gust was recorded at Aireys Inlet at 3:19 pm.
93 km/h wind gust was recorded at Portland Airport at 2:10 pm.
93 km/h wind gust was recorded at Cape Otway at 6:47 am.
87 km/h wind gust was recorded at Yarram Airport at 9:33 am.

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.