TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for DAMAGING WINDS
For people in the Central, South West, North Central, West and South Gippsland and parts of the East Gippsland, North East and Wimmera Forecast Districts.
Issued at 9:22 pm Sunday, 26 March 2017.
WEATHER SITUATION:
Strengthening northerly winds ahead of a cold front crossing Victoria on Monday.
DAMAGING WINDS, northerly averaging 50 to 60 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are expected to develop from the west during Monday morning ahead of a squally west to southwesterly change reaching the west later in the morning, central districts in the early afternoon and Gippsland later in the afternoon. Wind gusts of 100km/h are possible in elevated areas, coastal areas, particularly near and immediately following the change. Wind gusts of 100km/h are also possible with thunderstorms in central and eastern parts during the afternoon.
Winds are expected to rapidly ease an hour or two after change.
Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
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 clear of fallen power lines;
The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 am AEDT Monday.
Warnings are 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 warnings being broadcast regularly.
www.bom.gov.au