Severe Weather Warning (VIC)

[Jason[98.EL]]

Taken from http://www.bom.gov.au/

Severe Weather Warning
for damaging winds
for people in the Alpine Areas, Western, North Central, Northern Country, Wimmera, Mallee, Central, West and South Gippsland, East Gippsland and Northeast forecast districts.

Issued at 4:51 am EST on Tuesday 25 August 2009.

Weather Situation

A deep low pressure system over the Southern Ocean is generating a strong west to northwesterly airflow across Victoria. A vigorous cold front will move into western districts this afternoon, reach central districts later in the afternoon and pass over eastern Victoria early Wednesday.


Localised damaging winds averaging up to 60 km/h with peak gusts around 110 km/h are forecast for the Wimmera, Western and Alpine Areas forecast districts and parts of the North Central, Northern Country, Mallee, Central, West and South Gippsland, East Gippsland and Northeast forecast districts. Winds are currently easing in western districts and will ease in eastern districts by the afternoon. However winds will re-strengthening this afternoon from the west to average up to 65km/h with gusts to 110km/h as the cold front approaches Victoria. Wind gusts of 120km/h will be possible about elevated areas later today. Damaging wind gusts will be most likely about elevated areas and exposed coastal areas. Shower and thunderstorm activity also increases the potential for damaging wind gusts.

A wind gust to 115km/h has recently been recorded at Wilsons Promontory and to 109km/h at Falls Creek. Further gusts of around 90km/h have been recorded elsewhere in Alpine areas. A wind gust to 91km/h was recorded at Cape Nelson last night. Other exposed and elevated areas have recorded wind gusts of around 75/85 km/h.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

• People should not park or shelter under trees.
• Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
• For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.

The next warning will be issued by 11:00 am EST Tuesday.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio broadcasts; the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300-659-217*.

The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.

Be safe all


Keep your eyes open


Jason