Summer's here again

FORGET about all that rain last weekend - summer is back today with a forecast maximum of 32 degrees at New Norfolk, 30 in Hobart and 27 at Ouse.

There are fire, severe weather and road weather alerts for the Derwent Valley and other parts of the state today. For the latest warnings and advice from the weather bureau, click here.

The Bureau of Meteorology says Very High Fire Danger is forecast for the Upper Derwent Valley and South East. This means some bushfires breaking out will spread rapidly and be difficult to control. There is a possibility that people in the path of a fire who are not well prepared may be killed or seriously injured.

The Tasmania Fire Service advises you to:

• Check your bush fire survival plan - Now.
• Monitor the fire and weather situation on ABC radio or through www.fire.tas.gov.au
• If power supplies fail, listen on your car radio.

The Tasmania Fire Service advises that if you are in an area of Very High or Severe Fire Danger:

• Get ready now to leave for a safe place.
• Leave immediately if fire breaks out near you.
• Only stay if your home is well prepared to withstand fire and you can actively defend it.

No further warnings will be issued for this event, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings issued if necessary.

There is also a Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds for people in the King Island, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

A trough lies to the west of Tasmania. During today a low will move along the trough to the west and then southwest of Tasmania before the trough crosses the state later tonight and early tomorrow.

Damaging winds around 50 km/h with peak gusts of 100 km/h are forecast for the King Island and Upper Derwent Valley forecast districts and parts of the Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts.

The State Emergency Service and Tasmania Police advise that people should:

• Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
• Keep clear of fallen power lines.
• For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.

There is also a Road Weather Alert for Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Gusty winds will make driving conditions dangerous during Wednesday afternoon and evening in parts of the Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

For the latest warnings and advice from the weather bureau, click here.