Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 9:05 am Wednesday, 1 July 2020.

Strong and squally winds developing over parts of Victoria later today through to Thursday morning.

Weather Situation: A strong cold front to the west will reach far southwestern Victoria Wednesday evening. The front will continue eastwards across the State, moving through the Melbourne area and Central districts by around midnight, and clearing the far east of Victoria late Thursday morning. Northerly winds strengthening ahead of the front, squally west to northwesterly winds with the front, showers and isolated thunderstorms to follow.

DAMAGING NORTHERLY WINDS, averaging 40 to 60 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are likely to develop from LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON across western parts of the warning area above around 900 metres in elevation, extending to central and eastern parts of the warning area mostly above 500 metres elevation WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

DAMAGING NORTHERLY WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 110-120 km/h are possible over exposed peaks across eastern Victoria above around 1600 metres in elevation from WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

Local DAMAGING WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY SQUALLS to 90 km/h are possible with and following the front across the far south west and southern coastal fringe, mainly associated with showers and thunderstorms.

Winds are expected to ease below warning threshold following the passage of the cold front across elevated areas, and within a few hours following the frontal passage away from the coast. The risk of damaging squalls with showers or thunderstorms remains along the coastal fringe up to 6 hours following the front.

Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Portland, the Grampians, elevated areas around Kyneton and Daylesford, Wonthaggi, Mount Buller, Falls Creek. Mount Hotham and Mount Baw Baw.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Be aware that trees that have been damaged by heat or fire may be unstable and more likely to fall when it is windy or wet.
* Check that loose items such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured and 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.
* 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.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines always assume they are live.
* Stay informed monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency.