Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in East Gippsland, North East, West and South Gippsland and parts of Central, Northern Country and North Central Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:46 am Tuesday, 3 October 2023.

Heavy rain developing about the eastern ranges and Gippsland from this afternoon and expanding to northeastern Victoria in the evening. Damaging winds persisting for the ranges and northern Gippsland during today.

Weather Situation: Northwesterly winds persist ahead of a cold front and associated upper trough. Heavy rainfall is expected to develop over the ranges and Gippsland during this afternoon and extending northwards from the evening as the progression of the front slows.
A low pressure system is forecast to develop over southern New South Wales during Wednesday. This system is likely to see warnings continuing across eastern Victoria during Wednesday and into Thursday.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop over the NORTHEAST RANGES and GIPPSLAND from this afternoon. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 70 mm are likely, with 24-hour totals of 90 to 150 mm possible. This threat is likely to persist into Wednesday.

For GIPPSLAND AND THE NORTHEAST: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 110 km/h are likely, mainly over elevated areas. Higher terrain above 1200 m may experience peak gusts of 120 km/h. Winds are expected to ease during Tuesday night for all but the Alpine peaks above 1200 m.

Flood watches are current for eastern catchments. Please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Shepparton, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Traralgon, Moe and Bairnsdale.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the South West and Wimmera districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

Significant wind observations to 08:00 AM AEDT Tuesday include:

105 km/h recorded at Mount Buller

105 km/h recorded at Mount Hotham

93 km/h recorded at Falls Creek

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.