Severe weather set for weekend

WILD weather has battered the state and more of the same is expected for the weekend.

Strong winds brought down trees and powerlines, resulting in road closures and power outages.

Thousands of homes were without power on Thursday, with some residents faced with long delays for their power to be restored after severe weather lashed the state.

Crews worked throughout Thursday to clear roads and restore power.

The State Emergency Service attended 16 call-outs in the state’s North, mainly for roof and tree damage, including in Perth, Launceston, George Town and Greens Beach.

Bureau of Meteorology Senior Meteorologist Luke Johnston said the south-easterly winds had been damaging.

“It’s a bit of an unusual direction for Tasmania, so the impact of the winds, while they aren’t as strong as they have been in Tasmania, because they are from a slightly different direction the impact has been substantial,” he said.

A severe weather warning was issued on Wednesday for the damaging south-easterly winds and remained in place on Thursday afternoon for the North East, Central North and parts of the East Coast, NorthWest Coast, Central Plateau and Midlands forecast districts.

Winds averaging 60-70km/ with peak gusts around 90km/h, were forecast across the North and North East.

The bureau has issued a flood watch for the eastern half of the state with moderate flooding possible as the wet weather sets in.

In four days a total of 20-50mm rain is forecast for the East, 60-80mm for the North East, and 160mm for the North East coastal ranges.

A moderate flood warning was issued for the South Esk River, with minor flood warnings in place for the Macquarie River and the Esk River.

Inspector Ruth Orr said motorists needed to take care on the roads this long weekend and be mindful of debris.

“We are asking people to be mindful of the weather conditions and road conditions, and drive to the conditions.

“The wind can bring some trees and branches down and that can happen unexpectedly, so just be mindful of that,” Inspect Orr said.

Mr Johnston said this weather would persist through Friday and start to ease during Saturday.

“But it’s going to move away very slowly,” Mr Johnston said.

“On Sunday there’s more hope of finer weather and a return to the normal westerly winds. There will be some showers in the west at the end of the long weekend, but conditions should improve about the east during Sunday,” he said.

Low cloud has also led to dark and gloomy conditions.