Sunday 12:24pm
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THE WIMMERA is still subject to a severe weather warning despite few signs of wind or rain that were predicted for Sunday morning.
The severe weather is expected on Sunday afternoon and might result in damaging wind gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour, heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
The Bureau of Meterology has stated that a strong cold front lying just west of Adelaide at 10am Sunday is expected to move into western Victoria late Sunday afternoon.
Damaging winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h per hour are likely about parts of the Wimmera during the afternoon.
“Wind gusts may reach 110 km/h in elevated areas above 1000 metres and also with thunderstorms,” warning stated.
Heavy rainfall which which may lead to flash flooding is likely to accompany the cold front across the same districts later this afternoon in the west and overnight over central and eastern regions.
“Falls up to 25mm should be common and isolated totals may reach 50mm with thunderstorms and on the higher ranges.”
Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne.
The State Emergency Service has advised 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;
- Don't walk, ride or drive through flood water;
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains;
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks;
- Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads;
The next warning is due to be issued by 5:05pm. Live warning updates can be found on the bureau’s website.
Saturday 4:30pm
THE Wimmera could experience damaging wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour from Sunday morning followed by thunderstorms.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the Wimmera and all of Western Victoria, including Horsham , Stawell and Ararat.
The winds have been forecast as a a strengthening northerly flow ahead of an approaching cold front.
“The front is expected to reach western Victoria late Sunday afternoon, crossing central parts of the State Sunday evening and the east early Monday morning,” the warning stated.
“Damaging winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h, with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are expected to develop on Sunday morning about parts of the Wimmera, South West, Central and North Central districts.
These winds are expected to push further into elevated parts of eastern Victoria Sunday night but will moderate in the west.”
Heavy rainfall is also possible later on Sunday afternoon and evening, mostly in association with the cold front but thunderstorms may also occur just ahead of the front.
The warnings for western Victoria follow days of severe winds, flooding and electricity blackouts in South Australia.
There have also been damaging winds in Western Australia, with trees brought down and power cuts in some areas.
The State Emergency Service has advised 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;
- Don't walk, ride or drive through flood water;
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains;
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks;
- Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads;