Severe Weather Warnings Issued for Five States as Destructive Winds Batter South-East Australia

Severe weather warnings have been issued across five Australian states and territories as powerful winds sweep through the south-east, bringing the potential for destructive gusts, power outages, and property damage.

A strong low-pressure system over the Southern Ocean has pushed a cold front across Tasmania, extending into South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), warnings for damaging or destructive winds are in place for:

Tasmania: King Island, Furneaux Islands, Western, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, North East, East Coast, North West Coast, Central North, Central Plateau, and Midlands.

South Australia: Lower South East district.

Victoria: Central, South West, West and South Gippsland, and parts of East Gippsland, North Central, North East, and Wimmera.

New South Wales & ACT: South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, ACT, and South West Slopes.

Residents have been urged to secure loose outdoor items, stay indoors, and avoid windows while the severe conditions continue. Authorities also warned of possible power outages and fallen trees or power lines.

Strong wind gusts have already been recorded across the affected areas, with Tasmania hit hardest.

Scotts Peak recorded gusts of 139 km/h early this morning — the sixth consecutive day winds exceeded 100 km/h.

Maatsuyker Island, on Tasmania’s southern tip, experienced 154 km/h gusts around 11:40 a.m. (AEST).

In Victoria, Mt William in the Grampians recorded winds reaching 120 km/h.

Tasmania has also seen heavy rainfall, with weekly totals nearing 100mm in some areas. However, meteorologists say the system is unlikely to bring more than scattered showers to Victoria, South Australia, or New South Wales.

Authorities continue to advise residents to monitor State Emergency Service updates and avoid unnecessary travel in high-risk zones.