Severe Weather Warning (Damaging Winds) for Mallee, South West, Wimmera and parts of Central, Northern Country and North Central
26 DECEMBER 2024 04:27 EDT
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Weather Warning
for Damaging Winds
for Mallee, South West, Wimmera and parts of Central, Northern Country and North Central Forecast Districts.
Issued at 4:27 am Thursday, 26 December 2024.
Damaging wind gusts to develop over western and central Victoria this morning.
Weather Situation
North to northwesterly winds are strengthening over western Victoria ahead of a cold front which reaches the state border in the early afternoon today before crossing the western districts through the afternoon and reaching central districts around sunset. Winds will shift to the west to southwest on and immediately behind the front before weakening by late this evening.
DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Central, Mallee, South West, Northern Country, North Central and Wimmera
North to northwesterly winds with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are likely over the Grampians and Central ranges northwest of Melbourne from around sunrise this morning, before easing by the early afternoon.
Isolated DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible again from the early afternoon over broader parts of the Mallee, Wimmera, and South West districts as winds shift to the west to southwest along and immediately behind the cold front progressing through the state.
Winds are expected to ease below warning thresholds over the remaining warning area by late tonight once the cold front reaches the central districts.
Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Horsham, Stawell, Hamilton, Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh.
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 am AEDT Thursday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
