Batten down the hatches across the Yarra Valley and ranges as high winds continue to pick up on the morning of Friday 8 September.
A severe weather warning for damaging winds remains in place for people in Central, South West, West and South Gippsland and parts of East Gippsland, North Central, North East and Wimmera Forecast Districts.
BoM issued a weather alert at 10:38 am Friday, 8 September 2023 stating that damaging wind gusts possible and will be easing from the west later in the day.
A low pressure system is situated to the east of Cape Otway will continue to move eastwards through Bass Strait today.
Fresh to strong northwesterly winds are in place over eastern parts of the state, shifting to strong and gusty west to southwesterly winds over southwest and central parts, which will extend eastwards during the day.
Northwesterly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with damaging wind gusts of around 100 km/h are possible over the eastern ranges, including areas of higher terrain in Gippsland.
West to southwesterly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with damaging wind gusts of around 90 to 100 km/h are possible over remaining southern parts of the state inland from the coast, which includes the greater Melbourne area, before reaching Gippsland in the afternoon and evening. There is a risk that parts of the southwest between Colac, Geelong and Bacchus Marsh and also the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas may see gusts reach up to 110km/h for a period until mid afternoon.
Conditions are expected to ease over western parts of the state later this afternoon, over central parts including Melbourne during the early evening and contract to only eastern parts of the State by late Friday evening, before easing early on Saturday morning.
Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
111 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mt Nowa Nowa at 08:34 AM.
111 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mt Gellibrand at 08:29 AM.
109 km/h wind gust was recorded at Port Fairy at 07:05 AM.
106 km/h wind gust was recorded at Warnambool at 07:40 AM.
74km/h sustained winds and 102 km/h wind gust was recorded at Avalon Airport about 10:35 AM.
93 km/h wind gust was recorded at Portland at 4:36 AM.
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.
The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Friday.
