Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:43 am Tuesday, 21 October 2025.

DAMAGING WINDS DEVELOPING OVER MUCH OF VICTORIA ON WEDNESDAY, WITH DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE SOUTHWEST COAST FROM LATE MORNING.

Weather Situation: A low pressure system is likely to rapidly deepen off the southern coast of South Australia overnight into early Wednesday morning and will move rapidly to the east-southeast, tracking over Bass Strait just off the southern Victoria coast through the day on Wednesday. The low is likely to weaken and clear eastwards into the Tasman Sea Wednesday night.

Strong northwest to westerly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING GUSTS to 100 km/h are likely to develop over southwestern Victoria and elevated areas during Wednesday morning, then extend eastwards over the remainder of the warning area including MELBOURNE in the afternoon.

DAMAGING west to southwesterly winds averaging 60 to 80 km/h with gusts to 100 to 120 km/h are likely to develop over the far southwest later Wednesday morning, and shift eastwards over the southern parts of the Central district including Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula during the early afternoon, and into south Gippsland mid to late afternoon.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 130 km/h are possible about the coast west of Cape Otway during the late morning and afternoon.

Conditions are expected to ease over the north and west later Wednesday afternoon, over central parts in the evening and over the southeast during Thursday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Wangaratta, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.

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.