Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Weather Warning
for Damaging Winds And Heavy Rainfall
for East Gippsland and parts of Central, North Central, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.
Issued at 5:14 pm Thursday, 26 March 2026.
Damaging southerly winds and heavy rainfall developing over parts of the state on Friday.
Weather Situation
A vigorous coastal low will form offshore of the southern NSW coast, leading to damaging southerly winds developing over parts of the central ranges and east of the state on Friday. Heavy rainfall is also expected to develop over parts of East Gippsland, as these winds combine with ample moisture to rise over topography. The low will move further offshore later on Friday, leading to an easing of conditions across the state.
DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Central, East Gippsland, North Central, North East and West and South Gippsland
DAMAGING SOUTHERLY WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are expected to develop over parts of the central ranges and east on Friday morning. Wind gusts may reach 100 km/h about the East Gippsland coast.
DAMAGING SOUTHERLY WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are likely about alpine areas above 1600 m from Friday morning.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is expected to develop over the elevated terrain of East Gippsland on Friday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 80 mm are likely.
Conditions are expected to ease below warning thresholds by Friday evening.
Flood warnings are current over the area. See https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for details.
Locations which may be affected include Orbost, Daylesford, Falls Creek, Buchan, Kyneton and Mallacoota.
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 11:00 pm AEDT Thursday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Forecast
Newington (37.5679°S, 143.793°E, 430m AMSL) set as my default location ›
-
7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the early morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the S in the early morning. Damaging winds possible about the ranges. Winds SW 25 to 40 km/h turning S 35 to 50 km/h early in the morning then tending S/SW 20 to 30 km/h in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 6 and 10 with daytime temperatures reaching between 13 and 18.
Forecast for Newington (37.5679°S, 143.793°E, 430m AMSL) Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Summary
Minimum 6° 8° 9° 9° 11° 15° 13° Maximum 14° 17° 21° 23° 26° 27° 25° Chance of rain 50% 80% 5% 5% 5% 40% 70% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm < 1mm UV index High High High High High High High Fire Danger Rating High Moderate Moderate Moderate - - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 33
(km/h)34
(km/h)24
(km/h)23
(km/h)13
(km/h)13
(km/h)13
(km/h)15
(km/h)20
(km/h)27
(km/h)27
(km/h)28
(km/h)14
(km/h)21
(km/h)Wind direction SSW SSW SSW SSW S SSW NE NNE NE N NNE N NNW WNW Relative humidity 76% 49% 93% 69% 91% 53% 77% 45% 62% 36% 56% 38% 79% 46% Dew point 5°C 2°C 10°C 10°C 10°C 10°C 9°C 9°C 8°C 8°C 9°C 11°C 12°C 12°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Newington (37.5679°S, 143.793°E, 430m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 7:07am EDT 7:33am EDT 7:27pm EDT 7:53pm EDT 4:20pm EDT 12:49am EDT
Waxing gibbous
First quarter Mar 26 Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 New moon Apr 17 -
Warnings
- Severe Weather Warning (Damaging Winds & Heavy Rainfall) for East Gippsland & Central, North Central, North East & West & South Gippsland
- Severe Weather Warning (Damaging Winds & Heavy Rainfall) for East Gippsland & Central, North Central, North East & West & South Gippsland
- Sheep Graziers Warning Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, North East, South West, Central, W & S Gippsland & East Gippsland
-
Temperature for next 7 days
-
Rain for next 7 days