The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) this morning issued a Severe Weather Warning for Damaging Winds for people in parts of Central, East Gippsland, South West, North Central, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.
Strengthening northerly winds ahead of a squally southwesterly change tonight.
Weather Situation: A strong cold front will enter western Victoria this afternoon, reaching central districts tonight and crossing eastern Victoria early on Monday.
DAMAGING NORTHERLY WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h, are expected over central parts of the warning area until early afternoon and over eastern parts of the warning area until around midnight. Only elevated parts of the warning area (above 600 metres) will be affected.
About the Alpine peaks (above 1500 metres), wind gusts may reach up to 110 km/h during this afternoon. Blizzards are possible about the Alpine region tonight.
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to around 90 km/h are possible about the Grampians, Surf Coast, Mornington Peninsula and the Bass Coast with a squally SOUTHWESTERLY change between 8pm and midnight tonight.
While gusty winds are expected to continue into Monday the risk of damaging winds will cease early on Monday morning.
Locations which may be affected include the Grampians, the Mornington
Peninsula, Mt Baw Baw, 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 Sunday.
