Tasmania weather warning: Floods, snow forecast as cold front moves in

Tasmania faces a triple threat of flooding, damaging winds and low-level spring snow as meteorologists track an intense storm system.

Damaging wilds are on the way for Tasmania across Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Picture: Windy.com

A strong cold front blustering towards Tasmania has authorities on alert, with residents urged to prepare now for the potential for widespread damage.

The front is expected to bring damaging winds, thunderstorms, small hail and much colder air bringing snow to low levels.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a state-wide severe weather warning, with the worst of the weather expected Friday.

Peak gusts of around 120kmh are likely for King Island and the west coast, with damaging winds potentially getting up to 100kmh for the rest of the state including Hobart and Launceston from sunrise on Friday.

The Bureau also issued an initial flood watch on Wednesday afternoon for the River Derwent and western, northern and parts of the north east catchments.

“Showers and moderate rainfall totals forecast during Thursday are expected to increase across the state overnight Thursday and into Friday,” the Bureau’s warning reads.

“Moderate to heavy rain is possible at times, particularly in the west, north and northeast. “Highest rainfall totals will be mostly focused on the higher peaks on the west coast, Central Plateau and southwest lakes.”

The meteorologists warn already-soaked catchments may “react quickly” to any further rainfall over coming days.

“River level rises are likely, and minor flooding is possible across the flood watch area from Friday morning,” the BoM warning reads.

“Localised flooding of rivulets, small creeks and low-lying areas may occur in locations that receive higher rainfall. Isolated heavy rainfall can result in rapid stream rises and strong flows particularly in the west and northeast of the state.”

Catchments likely to be affected include the Derwent, Gordon-Franklin, King-Henty, Pieman, Arthur, Mersey, Meander, South Esk, North Esk and Ringarooma rivers, as well as Nelson Bay, northwest and central and north coastal rivers.

For the South East, snow is forecast down to 900 metres on Thursday, 600 metres on Friday and 400 metres on Saturday.

Minimum temperatures are set to dip to 6 degrees on Saturday and 7C Sunday in Hobart with maximums of 15C.