BOM issues severe weather alert for ‘damaging’ winds

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for one Australian territory and three states as strong winds create possibly “damaging” conditions

Hazardous weather conditions are likely to persist through Tuesday and into Wednesday as parts of the nation brace for strong winds and consecutive cold fronts.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings in coastal areas of southeastern Australia and adjacent regions further inland, including parts of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.

BOM meteorologist Angus Hines said conditions were “very, very busy today” in the southeast.

Mr Hines said strong winds would be “the most significant weather element” in “many parts of the country”.

NSW temperature map for Tuesday June 24th 10am shows mild conditions prior to the cold fronts which are due to sweep through. Picture: BOM

NSW temperature maps for Wednesday June 25th 10am shows colder temperatures across most of NSW. Picture: BOM

“For South Australia we’re looking at damaging winds for parts of the Yorke Peninsula around Adelaide, the Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island and the southeast,” he said.

“For Victoria it’s almost everywhere on and south of the mountain ranges. For Tasmania, just the northeast coast as well as the islands of the Bass Strait. And for NSW and the ACT, the warning area covers most of the mountain ranges.”

“Through these areas, winds could gust above 90km an hour over the next couple of days, potentially in the mountains that could be 110 or 120km an hour. That is exceptionally strong wind, absolutely strong enough to bring down trees and branches.”

Wild weather conditions are already beginning to manifest in Adelaide’s Holdfast Bay, where a tree was felled by hazardous winds on Tuesday morning. Picture: Facebook City of Holdfast Bay

Mr Hines said strong winds could make for hazardous driving conditions, and urged drivers of at-risk vehicles like motorcycles, camper vans and buses to exercise caution.

The BOM also noted a pair of cold fronts would be making their way through the affected regions, mere hours apart, creating chilly conditions.

“This windy weather pattern has two cold fronts. The first one races across Australia on Tuesday, that is rapidly followed up by another one, which follows almost exactly the same path overnight and into Wednesday morning,” he said.

“It’s these two weather features back to back, giving us this prolonged spell of unsettled, wintry weather.”

Rainfall is expected over the next two days in parts of Northern Victoria and Southern New South Wales; two regions which have been enduring drought conditions since summer.

Snowfall may also be seen in parts of New South Wales, and even the Blue Mountains according to BOM meteorologist Miriam Bradbury.

Australia's weather forecast (10am Wednesday June 24) shows a pair of cold fronts snaking their way across the southern half of the nation. Picture: BOM

“We’re also expecting a very low snow level for tomorrow, down to around 700m (above sea level) or so in the morning,” Ms Bradbury said.

“That means we are likely to see snow about the southern ranges, but we could also see snow reaching the Blue Mountains, the Canberra Hills, even flurries as far north as the Barrington Tops.”

The nation’s capital is bracing for a particularly chilly Wednesday, with a low of 1C and a top of 8C.

Victoria is expected to endure “strong and gusty winds,” isolated showers and even some hail throughout Wednesday, and southerly winds will keep max temperatures below 15C across most of the state.

Parts of northern Tasmania will experience highs of 11C, while Hobart will reach a high of 10C.

Wild conditions are expected across large parts of Australia’s southeast. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

South Australia’s wild weather will mostly recede by tomorrow afternoon, with Adelaide reaching a high of 15C and inland parts of the state reaching highs of 19C.

WA is experiencing much milder conditions, with Perth reaching a high of 19C, Esperance reaching a high of 17C and Exmouth hitting a max of 24C.

Tropical North Queensland temperatures will climb as high as 29C in Weipa and 28 in Cairns, while Brisbane will hit 23C and Birdsville will reach 19C.

Up in the territory, Darwin is expected to reach 32C and Alice Springs will hit 18C.

Winds are expected to recede and temperatures are expected to rise again slightly by Wednesday morning in South Australia, and by Wednesday night for coastal areas of New South Wales.

Originally published as BOM issues severe weather alert for ‘damaging’ winds