Update to severe weather warning

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmanian Regional Office

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING

for DAMAGING WINDS

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

Issued at 3:50 pm Wednesday, 5 October 2016.

Weather Situation
A deep low pressure system is currently passing to the south of Tasmania today as a cold front crosses the state, with winds expected to remain strong and gusty until the low moves away to the southeast tonight.
DAMAGING WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 100 km/h are likely throughout Tasmania. Winds should begin to ease about the northwest in the early evening, and about the remainder of the state later in the evening.
Trees may fall over more easily than usual due to saturated soil conditions.
Locations which may be affected include Devonport, Burnie, Launceston, St Helens, Swansea, Strahan, New Norfolk and Hobart. 
In the last 3 hours, wind gusts to 159km/h have been reported at Maatsuyker island, with gusts to 120km/h reported at Cape Bruny, and gusts to 98km/h reported at Hobart.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Supervise children closely.
* Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings.
* Manage pets and livestock.
* Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment.
* Be prepared in case of power outages.
* Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving.
* Listen to the ABC radio or check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132500. 

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11pm Wednesday.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 216. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.