TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Weather Warning
for DESTRUCTIVE WINDS
For people in Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, South West, Northern Country, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera Forecast Districts.
Issued at 11:01 am Friday, 13 April 2018.
A series of active cold fronts will affect Victoria over the next few days. The first cold front will reach the southwest this evening before moving through the remainder of the State overnight and early Saturday. A second and stronger cold front will reach the southwest during the late morning on Saturday before affecting remaining parts of Victoria during the afternoon.
DAMAGING winds of 50 to 70 km/h with gusts to around 90 km/h are forecast for the South West, North Central, Central, North East and West and South Gippsland during tonight and early Saturday in association with the first cold front.
DAMAGING winds of 60 to 80 km/h are expected over all Victorian districts during Saturday, mainly during the afternoon. Across the northern plains, wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are possible while elsewhere wind gusts may reach 100 to 120 km/h.
DESTRUCTIVE winds of 70 to 90 km/h with peak gusts of around 130 km/h are possible about the Alpine peaks (above 1200 metres) during Saturday afternoon and early evening.
Isolated thunderstorms are possible during tonight and Saturday and wind gusts above 90 km/h are possible.
The wind is expected to ease in most areas during Saturday although strong to gale force winds may remain near the coast and over the Alpine area.
Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Wodonga, Wangaratta, 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 pm AEST Friday.
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.