There's a severe weather warning in place for parts of the south-west today due to west to north-westerly winds strengthening ahead of a cold front moving across Victoria.
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Damaging winds, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h, are possible about exposed coast and ranges in the south-west from late Friday morning, extending to west and south Gippsland, the Bass Coast, and the north-east alpine peaks during the afternoon.
Wind gusts are expected to ease below 90 km/h on Friday evening.
Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Wonthaggi, Mount Baw Baw, Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Omeo.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
- Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
- Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
- Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
- Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
- Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.
There's also a gale warning for the west coast as well as a sheep graziers' alert for the south-west that cold temperatures, showers and strong westerly winds are expected from early Friday.
There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.
The weather bureau says Warrnambool today will be cloudy today, with a very high chance of showers, becoming less likely this evening with gusty winds and possible hail.
Warrnambool is expecting a top of 15 degrees.
At 7am it was 9.7, felt like 4.0 and we've had 2.4mm of rain since 9am yesterday.
For the south-west, a strong west to north-westerly flow over Victoria will become cold south-westerly tonight behind a cold front crossing the state today.
A high pressure system will build south of the Bight on Saturday, then continue to move eastwards over Victoria during Sunday.
The high will then move out over the Tasman Sea on Monday.
Saturday we can expect a shower of two with a top of 13 degrees and Sunday will be partly cloudy 15 with almost no chance of rain.
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