‘Destructive’ weather warning for southern Australia after week-long soaking

Hundreds of thousands of people are being warned to brace for “destructive” wind gusts and are urged to tie down loose items.

Victorians have been warned to “act now” before one of the strongest cold fronts to hit the state this year lashes the region over the next 36 hours.

People in the most heavily treed areas of the state have been asked to avoid travel as wind gusts in excess of 100km per hour are expected to bring down trees.

Victoria SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said people across the state should act now to secure any loose items in yards.

“We all too often see outdoor settings, trampolines and the like becoming missiles in these events,” he said.

Mr Wiebusch has asked all Victorians to download the Vic Emergency App which contains the latest advice issued by emergency services.

Rainfall throughout Australia last week. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

“Make sure you stay in tune with the warnings,” he said.

“That advice message provides all the latest information … around the wind phenomena, but also the coastal hazard warnings.

“As a result, we are asking Victorians to be alert on the roads, ensure that you are keeping an eye out for fallen trees and debris over the next 36 hours.”

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Sarah Scully said cold fronts in the southeast of Australia were bringing wind, gusty showers and storms.

Victoria can expect windy conditions with showers on and south of the ranges, snow above 1200m and thunderstorms with small hail around the southwest coast and Central Coast.

Ms Scully that was also the same for bayside suburbs around Melbourne.

Vic SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch has made a warning to millions of Aussies.

On Wednesday, Ms Scully said Melbourne would reach 18C, but it would be much cooler in Ballarat which would peak at 13C.

Tasmania could also expect wind and widespread rain which would ease to showers across the northwest.

Ms Scully said there would also be a risk of thunderstorms and hail across the southern island as well with Hobart and Launceston reaching a high of 12C.

In Queensland, the north tropical coast could expect isolated while the rest of the state had dry and sunny conditions.

Ms Scully said maximum tempratures would be well above average.

“We’re forcasting 31C for Brisbane, which is 8C above the August average and even warmer than Cairns, forecasting 28C there,” she said.

NSW can expect dry and windy conditions on Wednesday, with some showers developing over the Southern Ranges and isolated showers in the Northern Ranges.

Severe Weather Warnings for damaging winds of 90-100km/h are current for parts of #WA, #SA, #Victoria, #Tasmania & #NSW. Gusts have the capacity to bring down trees, powerlines & damage property, so follow advice from your local emergency services. Latest: https://t.co/4W35o8iFmhhttps://t.co/JyFvl0XgZm

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) August 26, 2024

“It is going to be noticeably windy, particularly for the Sydney Metropolitian area and the Illawara,” Ms Scully said.

“A maximum 28C for Sydney, much cooler for Canberra and 18C.”

South Australia will have a windy start to Wednesday but should ease by the early afternoon.

Ms Scully said there would be showers in the southern agricultural regions of SA, with Adelaide reaching a maximum tempreture of 17C, but it will be much warmer inland.

Another cold front is expected to hit the southwest of WA on Wednesday night otherwise it will be dry conditions throughout the day.

The southwest should have near average tempreatures but it would be much warmer inland and in the northern parts of WA.

Perth can expect a high of 21C while Karratha in the northwest of the state will reach a high of 35C.

Northern Australia can expect warm and sunny conditions with humidity building in the northeast of the state, bringing a possible shower in northeast Arnhem Land.

Darwin will reach 34C, and 35C in Alice Springs.

Originally published as ‘Destructive’ weather warning for southern Australia after week-long soaking