BOM issues severe weather warning for damaging winds on election day
Tasmanians may need to hit the polling booths early to beat a cold front set to sweep the state, with the BOM issuing a warning for damaging winds up to 120km/h.
Tasmania
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Tasmanians rolling into the polls on Saturday will need to get in early, with a strong cold front predicted to cross into the state on election day.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a severe weather warning on Friday for damaging winds forecasted to hit Tasmania from mid-Saturday morning.
A BOM spokesperson said the cold front is expected to reach western Tasmania first before moving to the central districts by mid-afternoon and tracking to the east of the state into the evening.
“Winds will ease and tend westerly in its wake,” the spokesperson said.
“Damaging northwesterly winds averaging 55 to 70 km/h with gusts around 100 km/h are likely about western Tasmania from mid Saturday morning, extending to remaining areas including Hobart and Launceston during the afternoon.
“Peak wind gusts may reach 110 km/h with showers and thunderstorms about the west and northwest coasts, including King Island.”
Locations which may be affected include Devonport, Burnie, Launceston, St Helens, Swansea, Strahan, New Norfolk, Hobart, Currie, Smithton, Oatlands and Scottsdale.
Damaging winds may average between 70 to 80km/h and peak gusts up to 120km/h for areas above 1000m including parts of the Central Plateau and Cradle Mountain area.
Tasmania’s SES has advised people to supervise children closely, check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings, manage pets and livestock, secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment, be prepared in case of power outages and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004, beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving.
For emergency assistance, contact the SES on 132500.
Originally published as BOM issues severe weather warning for damaging winds on election day
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