Severe weather warning continues

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning

for DAMAGING WINDS

For people in King Island, Furneaux Islands, Western, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, North East, East Coast, North West Coast, Central North, Central Plateau and Midlands Forecast Districts.
Issued at 3:59 pm Tuesday, 17 July 2018.

DAMAGING NORTHWESTERLY WINDS ACROSS TASMANIA DURING THIS AFTERNOON, THEN AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING

Weather Situation: A strong northwesterly airstream develops across Tasmania as a vigorous cold front crosses this afternoon, then again as another vigorous front crosses Wednesday evening.

DAMAGING NORTHWESTERLY WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 100 to 110 km/h, are possible across all of Tasmania until early this evening. Gusts in excess of 110 km/h are possible at exposed costal locations and elevated terrain above 700 metres.
Winds ease a little and shift westerly by early this evening, however another strong northwesterly airstream develops again on Wednesday afternoon.

DAMAGING NORTHWESTERLY WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 100 km/h, are possible across parts of the east, the west, and the north coast of Tasmania during Wednesday afternoon and evening. Gusts in excess of 100 km/h are possible at exposed costal locations and elevated terrain.

Locations which may be affected include Devonport, Burnie, Launceston, St Helens, Swansea, Strahan, New Norfolk and Hobart.

So far today, the strongest recorded wind gust was 144 k/hr at Mt Wellington, with many other elevated weather stations reporting gusts over 100 k/hr. Hobart recorded a gust of 98 k/hr at 1:09 pm. Bushy Park, King Island and Strahan recorded gusts of 94 k/hr.

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 and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004.
* 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 Tuesday.

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.

About Severe Weather Warning Services