http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDV20032.htmlTOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING for DESTRUCTIVE WINDS
For people in the Central, South West, North Central and parts of the East Gippsland, North East, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera Forecast Districts.
Issued at 10:45 am Thursday, 18 August 2016.
WEATHER SITUATION:
A low pressure system is expected to continue to rapidly intensify south of the Bight during Thursday and an associated cold front will reach western Victoria on Thursday evening then slowly extend across the remainder of the State on Friday.
DAMAGING WINDS, northerlies averaging 50 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are expected to continue to develop on Thursday afternoon over the Southwest, Wimmera, Central and North Central districts. These winds will then extend to elevated parts of the Northeast and Gippsland districts later in the afternoon and evening.
Locations that may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat,
Geelong and Melbourne.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS, northerlies averaging 70 to 90 km/h with peak gusts at 130 km/h are expected to develop about Alpine peaks above 1200 metres elevation within the Northeast and Gippsland districts Thursday night, and continue into late on Friday afternoon.
Locations likely to be affected include Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Baw-Baw
These winds are expected to persist well into Friday morning over Central and elevated eastern areas but will begin to moderate in the Southwest and Wimmera with the onset of a rain band very late on Thursday evening.
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 warning is due to be issued by 4:45 pm.
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.
