MEDIA RELEASE: Another wintry blast to move through Victoria

MEDIA RELEASE: Another wintry blast to move through Victoria

27/07/2021, 4:45 PM

As restrictions begin to ease in Victoria from midnight tonight, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has predicted another wintry blast to move through the state today and further into the week.

With a number of cold fronts to move through most parts of the state Tuesday night into Wednesday, the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is asking Victorians remain vigilant, and be safe as volunteers are once again preparing and planning for the increase in severe weather conditions and community impacts.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds in parts of eastern, central and western ranges, with gusts of 90-100km/h, extending to the Otways and parts of greater Melbourne late Tuesday afternoon, then to most remaining southern districts overnight and tomorrow morning.

Our Victorian alpine peaks above 1500m, may potentially see locally destructive winds overnight with gusts to 125km/h possible. Blizzard conditions are likely late on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Alpine resorts.

The area of damaging winds will include greater Melbourne on Wednesday, with a squally westerly change bringing gusts of 90 to 100km/h expected to move over the Metropolitan area during the afternoon.

The current forecast also indicates elevated sea levels, to affect all Victorian coastal areas on Wednesday, with very high seas and long period swell to affect parts of the coast between the South Australian border and Cape Otway on Wednesday and Thursday.

Minor flooding is occurring along the Barwon river, and also some northeastern rivers including the Ovens river at Wangaratta. Rainfall totals over coming days will be modest, but minor flooding is likely to continue in the northeast and the Yarra catchment.

As the Victorian lockdown eases, VICSES is asking communities to avoid areas that have been recently affected by storms, and to follow current Chief Health Officer directions as restrictions ease, and the forecast of wet and windy weather will add to the already significant risk of trees falling without warning.

Ensure you consider your need to travel and watch out for large trees as recent wet and windy weather may have destabilised trees or branches, making them more likely to fall.

Ensure to download the VicEmergency app for warning and advice messaging, and check the VicTraffic mobile app or website before travelling for updates on road closures, hazards and to consider alternative journeys.

Call 132 500 for emergency assistance from VICSES.

Quotes attributable to State Agency Commander, Alistair Drayton

“We’re urging Victorians to seriously consider the need to travel as this cold front passes through the state”.

“With such windy conditions and powerful waves forecast, this message goes to people planning on being near the ocean’s edge, too. Unintentional entry to water attributed to half of all drownings”.

“Please keep up to date with relevant emergency information by visiting the VicEmergency website, or by downloading the VicEmergency app. And ensure to call 132 500 for any VICSES assistance required”.

Quotes attributable to Senior Forecaster Matthew Thomas:

“The squally westerly change will move through the Melbourne area between 2pm and 4pm on Wednesday. So while we're all thrilled to see our kids back at school, please take care during the school pickup run.”

“Download the BoMWeather app for the latest warnings, observations and hourly forecasts, personalised for your location.”