Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 12:50 am Friday, 30 August 2024.

Damaging winds have redeveloped over parts of Victoria.

Weather Situation: A strong cold front is moving through the centre of the state overnight and clearing to the east by late Friday morning. A vigorous westerly airstream is then expected to develop in the wake of the front over the south, ahead of a second front sweeping over southern parts of the state overnight and during early Saturday morning.

FOR THE GRAMPIANS, CENTRAL RANGES and the NORTHEAST RANGES: DAMAGING NORTH TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to 100 km/h are likely during Friday morning. Wind gusts are likely to reach 120 km/h about the elevated terrain over the Northeast Ranges. Conditions will gradually ease over the Grampians and inland Central Districts by sunrise and then over the Northeast Ranges during Friday afternoon.

FOR THE SOUTHWEST COAST, OTWAY RANGES, GREATER GEELONG AREA, MELBOURNE and MORNINGTON PENINSULA: DAMAGING WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS averaging 50 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are likely during early Friday morning. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS could reach up to 120 km/h along the Southwest Coast, especially with showers, during early Friday morning. Winds are expected to ease for a period from sunrise before isolated DAMAGING WIND GUSTS reaching to 90 km/h are again possible in shower activity along the Southwest Coast and Greater Geelong Area during Friday afternoon.

During late Friday night, expect another period of DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to develop over southern parts of the state, which will likely see the warning areas continue over the southwest and extend to parts of West and South Gippsland.

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

Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Portland, Geelong, Melbourne, all of Mornington Peninsula including Frankston, Bacchus Marsh, Falls Creek, Mt Buller and Omeo.

98 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount Hotham at 9:30 pm.

91 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount Buller at 10:10 pm.

93 km/h wind gust was recorded at Melbourne Airport at 11:13 pm.

95 km/h wind gust was recorded at St Kilda Harbour at 11:53 pm.

120 km/h wind gust was recorded at Warrnambool Airport at 11:50 pm.

115 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount William at 00:25 am.

111 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount Gellibrand at 00:40 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.