Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:54 am Sunday, 1 September 2024.
Damaging winds continuing with DESTRUCTIVE WINDS developing about coastal and alpine areas late Sunday into early Monday.

Weather Situation: A vigorous west to northwesterly airstream will continue to bring damaging winds to parts of the state, although conditions have currently eased somewhat. Winds are expected to strengthen again Sunday afternoon and evening, ahead of another strong cold front moving eastwards through the area. Conditions are expected to finally ease throughout the state during the day on Monday.

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 and thunderstorms.

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 today, extending throughout western districts on Sunday afternoon 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. DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS up to 130 km/h are possible from Sunday evening into early Monday.
Broadly, winds will ease throughout the state during Monday.

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 in the past 6 hours to 4:50 AM AEST Sunday include:
102 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount William.
98 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount Hotham Airport.
91 km/h wind gust was recorded at Gelantipy
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.