Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Snowy Mountains and parts of Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes and Australian Capital Territory Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:56 am Thursday, 5 September 2024.
Damaging winds over elevated areas today, expanding and increasing Friday.

Weather Situation: A strong pressure gradient across southeast Australia will increase ahead of a front expected to cross Victoria on Friday.

For ALPINE PEAKS above 1900 metres: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 85 to 105 km/h with peak gusts up to 125 km/h are expected throughout today and much of Friday.

For TODAY over the SOUTHERN TABLELANDS, SOUTH COAST AND SNOWY MOUNTAINS: Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS up to 100 km/h remain possible till early afternoon over elevations above 1000m.

For FRIDAY over parts of the ACT, SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL TABLELANDS, BLUE MOUNTAINS, ILLAWARRA, SOUTH COAST AND SNOWY MOUNTAINS: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70km/h with gusts to 100km/h are possible from early Friday morning, with the greatest risk for lower elevations from mid-morning through to mid-afternoon.

Damaging winds should contract to higher elevations later in the afternoon and most likely have eased below warning thresholds throughout by late Friday night.

Locations which may be affected include Nowra, Bowral, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Cooma, Bombala, Nimmitabel and Thredbo.

Significant observations in the 6 hours to 10:45am:

Sustained 81km/h winds were recorded at Thredbo at 5:00 am with a peak wind gust of 98 km/h recorded at 8:38 am.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.