Victoria weather: wild winds, severe storms and blizzards forecast as cold front hits
Wild winds, severe storms and blizzard conditions will lash Victoria as a cold front crosses the state on the first day out of lockdown.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning about destructive winds on Tuesday afternoon, with wind gusts of 98km/h winds already recorded at Mount Buller.
Senior forecaster Matthew Thomas says the blustery conditions will ramp up on Wednesday as “squally” westerly winds cross the state.
He says the severe weather warning will be extended to metropolitan Melbourne as wild winds are expected to move through the city on Wednesday afternoon, with gusts up to 100km/h expected in some parts.
Severe thunderstorms and hail could hit southern and northern parts of Victoria and the Wimmera.
Visitors to the alpine region this week will be treated to fresh snowfall, after some resorts recorded more than a metre of white powder in recent days.
Thomas says “significant snowfall” is expected in the north-east alpine areas on Wednesday, however destructive winds of up to 125 km/h and blizzard conditions will also hit alpine peaks.
Mount Buller has recorded 124cm of snow since the lockdown began, after “thundersnow” hit the resort over the weekend.
“The wild weather poses real challenges as we dig out, de-ice frozen lifts, groom the runs and prepare the ski area to make it safe for skiers and boarders to get up here and make some turns,” Buller Ski Lifts general manager Laurie Blampied said.
All visitors to snow resorts will be required to return a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival.