Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 9:29 am Thursday, 7 September 2023.

Damaging wind gusts are possible during Thursday and Friday.

Weather Situation: A cold front will cross Victoria today as a low pressure system develops over waters to the southwest of the state, bringing strengthening northerly winds ahead of the front. A strong and gusty southwesterly change will then move into the southwest of the state early on Friday morning around the low pressure system, which will then move through Bass Strait and affect southern parts of Victoria during the remainder of Friday.

Strong northerly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 to 100 km/h are possible over the Grampians and Otways, and will extend to central ranges and the northern suburbs of Melbourne later in the morning and continue into the afternoon. Winds will also increase over the higher terrain of Gippsland and the North East during the late Thursday afternoon and evening.

Winds in the Melbourne area and central ranges of the state should initially ease below warning thresholds by early Thursday evening, though are likely to remain fresh and gusty into Friday morning.

Locally DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of up to 110km/h are likely to develop over the far southwest coast from around midnight and extend along coastal areas during Friday. West to southwesterly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 to 100 km/h are possible over remaining southern parts of the state inland from the coast, including the greater Melbourne area, Geelong, the Mornington Peninsula and southwestern parts of Gippsland after sunrise on Friday and continuing into the afternoon.

Depending on the movement and position of the low pressure system as it tracks through Bass Strait on Friday afternoon, warning areas may be extended over remaining parts of Gippsland.

Conditions are expected to ease over western parts of the state during late Friday afternoon, over central parts including Melbourne during early Friday evening and contract to only eastern parts of the State by late Friday evening, before easing early Saturday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon and Moe.

102 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount William at 7:30 AM.

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.