Damaging winds set to blast Australia’s east coast as gloomy weather sets in
The east coast of Australia is set for a few gloomy days of weather, with damaging winds forecast across Victoria throughout Wednesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the elevated parts of eastern Victoria on Wednesday. Senior meteorologist Michael Efron said Victoria could expect northerly winds strengthening throughout Wednesday morning through to the afternoon and then easing in the night.
Peak gusts of around 100km/h were expected in the eastern parts of Victoria. In central Victoria gusts were expected to be between 70 and 80km/h.
Efron said he was most concerned about the elevated parts of eastern Victoria – Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham.
“Very strong winds associated with that system as it heads towards southeast in Australia,” he said.
At least 50 to 70cm of snow was expected at ski resorts.
In Melbourne, winds were forecast to be gusty by Wednesday afternoon, and there was a strong wind warning for Port Phillip Bay.
There was a medium to high chance for showers in Melbourne for the next week, with maximum temperatures of between 12 and 17C.
There was a chance for some thunderstorm activity across the western part of Victoria later on Wednesday.
On Friday there was expected to be a strong front approaching from the west, and winds were expected to pick up in the early hours of Saturday morning, bringing cold and strong gusty westerly winds.
The cold and windy weather was also expected to reach the southern part of New South Wales and the ACT, with a severe weather warning issued for parts of the southern tablelands, Snowy Mountains and the ACT.
Areas below 1,900 metres have been told to expect damaging winds of between 60 and 70km/h, with blizzard conditions possible for areas above 1,900 metres.
Winds were expected to ease on Wednesday night or early Thursday.
In Western Australia, there was expected to be a second burst of stormy weather this week from Wednesday evening into Thursday, with possible damaging winds for areas south of Perth and along the southern coast.
A small amount of hail was forecast near the coast south west of Mandurah from Wednesday night.