Severe weather warning

Severe Weather Warning

for damaging winds and abnormally high tides

For people in the Upper Derwent Valley,  Central Plateau, Midlands, South East, King Island, Furneaux Islands, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western and East Coast forecast districts.

Issued at 10.28am on Sunday, August 18, 2013.

For damaging winds about the whole state and for abnormally high tides about the Western and South East forecast districts.

Weather Situation

An intense low to the west of Tasmania will pass to the south of the state overnight and on Monday.

Damaging northwest to westerly winds averaging 45 to 60km/h with peak gusts of 100 to 110km/h are forecast for Tasmania today, mainly this afternoon and overnight. Damaging winds are expected to contract to western and southern parts of the state early on Monday, and then ease from late Monday morning.

Drivers are advised that gusty winds will make driving conditions dangerous.

Abnormally high tides which may cause sea water flooding of low lying areas are forecast for the Western and South East forecast districts this afternoon and evening. High tides today are around 5pm in Hobart and 7pm at Cape Sorell.

Abnormally high tides are expected again for the Western and South East forecast districts on Monday. High tides likely to be affected are around 8am at Cape Sorell, 6pm in Hobart and 8pm at Cape Sorell.

In the last 6 hours the strongest gusts have been 80 to 90km/h at Launceston Airport, Devonport, Burnie and on Mt. Wellington, 100km/h on Mt. Read and 135km/h at Cape Grim.

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.
• Don't drive, ride or walk through water flowing over roads and bridges and obey all road closure signs.

For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES on 13 25 00.

The next warning will be issued by 5pm Sunday.