Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:51 am Thursday, 29 August 2024.

Damaging winds redeveloping over parts of Victoria later today.

Weather Situation: A strong cold front is expected to reach western Victoria later today moving through centre of the state overnight and clearing to the east during Friday morning. A vigorous westerly airstream is then expected to develop in the wake of the front over the south, ahead of a second front sweeping over southern parts of the state overnight and during early Saturday morning.

FOR THE GRAMPIANS, INLAND PARTS OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICTS and the NORTHEAST RANGES: DAMAGING NORTH TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to 100 km/h are likely from late this evening and during Friday morning. This includes outer northern suburbs of Melbourne. Wind gusts are likely to reach 120 km/h about the elevated terrain over the Northeast Ranges.

Conditions will gradually ease over the Grampians and inland Central Districts by sunrise and then over the Northeast Ranges during early Friday afternoon.

FOR THE SOUTHWEST COAST, OTWAY RANGES, GREATER GEELONG AREA and MORNINGTON PENINSULA: DAMAGING WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS averaging 50 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are likely about the exposed coasts and Otway Ranges from late this evening and early Friday morning. Winds are expected to ease for a period from sunrise before isolated DAMAGING WIND GUSTS reaching to 90 km/h are again possible in shower activity during Friday afternoon.

During late Friday night, expect another period of DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to develop over southern parts of the state, which will likely see the warning areas continue over the southwest and extend to parts of West and South Gippsland.

A Coastal Hazard Warning is also current for the Victoria coastline. Please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Portland, Geelong, Bacchus Marsh, northern Melbourne suburbs, Mornington Peninsula, Mt Baw Baw, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Omeo.

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.