Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Central, South West, Northern Country, North Central, West and South Gippsland, Wimmera and parts of East Gippsland, Mallee and North East Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:32 pm Tuesday, 27 July 2021.
DAMAGING WINDS, LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE OVER THE NORTH EAST RANGES

Weather Situation: Strong and gusty northerly airstream over Victoria as a cold front approaches the State from the west. The front and an associated squally wind change will cross Victoria during Wednesday.
DAMAGING NORTHERLY WINDS, averaging 50 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are expected about much of Victoria on and south of the Divide, continuing overnight, then easing for a period on Wednesday morning.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS, averaging 70 to 80 km/h with peak gusts of 125km/h are expected across the eastern ranges at elevations above 1500m until early Wednesday morning. Blizzard conditions are possible about the Alpine peaks during this time. DESTRUCTIVE WIND gusts expected to abate by 6am Wednesday morning, though DAMAGING WINDS with peak gusts of 100km/h will persist throughout the day in Alpine areas.

On WEDNESDAY, a squally west to northwesterly wind change will cross the State from the west. DAMAGING WINDS averaging 40 to 60 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/hr possible throughout the warning area during the day, mainly associated with the wind change, but also possible with with showers and thunderstorms. The change will move through the Melbourne metropolitan area during Wednesday afternoon.
Winds are expected to ease below warning thresholds by early Wednesday evening.
Locations which may be affected by DAMAGING WINDS include Melbourne, Geelong, Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough and Ballarat.

Locations which may be affected by DESTRUCTIVE WINDS include Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Mt Buller.

Strongest wind gusts to 10:00pm Tuesday evening:
117 km/h at Mt Hotham at 9:53pm
111 km/h at Mt Buller at 9:32pm
105 km/h at Mt William at 7:01pm
104 km/h at Fawkner Beacon at 8:55pm
91 km/hr at St Kilda Harbour at 8:44pm

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.