Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 4:30 am Saturday, 20 July 2024.
Damaging winds about the Alpine areas, Grampians and South West coast, with blizzard conditions also likely about Alpine areas.

Weather Situation: A strong northwesterly flow ahead of a cold front is causing damaging winds about the Grampians and blizzard conditions about the Alpine areas. Winds are shifting southwesterly following the cold front along the South West Coast district and expected to shift west to southwesterly throughout by late morning. Winds easing from late afternoon but persisting about the East Gippsland Coast till the evening.

For the ALPINE AREAS: DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h, along with BLIZZARD conditions above 1200 m are expected, easing late afternoon.

For the GRAMPIANS: DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h, are expected, easing late afternoon.
For the SOUTH WEST COAST: Strong southwesterly winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h, with
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS up to 100 km/h are expected, easing late afternoon.
For the East Gippsland Coast: Strong west to southwest winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h, with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS up to 100 km/h are expected to develop during the afternoon and persisting till the evening.

Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Portland, Dargo, Mallacoota, Mt Baw Baw, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Omeo.

102 km/h wind gust recorded at Mount Buller Airport at 2:01am
95 km/h wind gust recorded at Falls Creek at 3:42 am
93 km/h wind gust recorded at Mount William at 2:41am
91 km/h wind gust recorded at Cape Nelson at 4:03am

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.