By Tyler Wright
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a severe weather warning for parts of the central and northeast ranges on Wednesday 17 August at 11:30am.
Winds averaging 65 km/hr with peak gusts of around 90km/h are likely to affect areas from Yarra Glen to Mt Baw Baw, as well as Bacchus Marsh and Daylesford.
However BOM meteorologist Phoebe de Wilt said winds of 90km/hr or higher are not expected to hit the Yarra or Dandenong Ranges.
“We issue a warning for damaging winds for wind gusts in excess of 90 kilometres per hour…people might see that warning area that’s out for the higher areas, and we’re not expecting Healesville or the Yarra Ranges will reach that threshold; it will likely be further north.”
The damaging winds are likely over the Otways, Surf Coast and central ranges from the early hours of Thursday 18 August, which will extend to the eastern ranges during Thursday morning.
Upper Yarra is exected to experience strong – but not damaging – winds, Phoebe said.
“We do advise to keep up to date with warnings and follow any advice from local emergency services,” she said.
It is believed the winds will ease late Thursday morning, with 15 to 25 millimetres of rain falling from Thursday afternoon into the evening.
Damaging wind gusts reaching 110km/h are possible over higher elevations above 1500 m over the eastern ranges, with blizzards possible about the higher peaks.
The worst of this weather system is expected to be felt in Western Australia.
To stay informed, monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website, app or hotline.
