The Bureau of Meteorology this morning issued a Severe Weather Warning for damaging and locally destructive winds for people in Central, Mallee, South West, North Central, Wimmera and parts of East Gippsland, Northern Country, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.
A cold front will move over Victoria today, reaching the west of Victoria mid to late afternoon and central parts in the evening before clearing to the east Thursday morning.
DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are expected to develop about elevated areas (above 800 metres) and coastal parts of western Victoria on WEDNESDAY afternoon, then extend to lower elevations and remaining areas of the Warning area on Wednesday night.
LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with peak gusts of 130 km/h and blizzard conditions are possible about the Alpine peaks in eastern Victoria from WEDNESDAY evening, until early Thursday morning.
DAMAGING WINDS are expected to ease following the passage of the cold front with the risk of DAMAGING WINDS contracting to the coastal parts on Thursday.
Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Swan Hill, Horsham, Bendigo, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Portland, Kyneton, Ballarat, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees;
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony;
* Keep clear of fallen power lines;
The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Wednesday.
