The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of damaging winds across Victoria's alpine areas and southwest coast from Tuesday afternoon, with peak gusts of around 100 km/h expected in the mountains.
The severe weather warning was issued at 10.52pm on Monday and covers the East Gippsland, South West, North East, and West and South Gippsland forecast districts. The Bureau expects northwesterly winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h over alpine areas from early Tuesday afternoon.
The southwesterly change arrives later. The Bureau expects averages of 60 to 70 km/h along the southwest coast from Tuesday evening, with peak gusts of around 90 km/h. Warrnambool, Portland, Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Mount Buller are among the locations listed as possibly affected. Conditions are forecast to ease on Wednesday morning.
A second severe weather warning was issued at 10.48pm for parts of the Snowy Mountains forecast district in New South Wales, for damaging winds possible over alpine areas from early Tuesday afternoon.
The Bureau has also issued sheep graziers warnings for the Snowy Mountains district in New South Wales and for the South West, Central, and West and South Gippsland districts in Victoria. Marine wind warnings are current for Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
The system behind the warnings is a cold front that formed over the Great Australian Bight, southwest of the Western Australia and South Australia border, and is tracking east. Rain, strong winds and alpine snow are forecast for Tasmania and the mainland alps on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Victoria State Emergency Service advises securing loose items outside, staying indoors and away from windows, and avoiding travel where conditions make it dangerous.
The Bureau will issue its next Victorian warning by 5am AEST on Tuesday.
