Severe Weather Warning for DAMAGING WINDS
For people in King Island, Furneaux Islands, Western, North East, East Coast, Central Plateau and parts of Upper Derwent Valley, South East, North West Coast, Central North and Midlands Forecast Districts.
Issued at 10.38 am Tuesday, 7 March 2023.
Strong cold front to cross Tasmania during Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Weather Situation: A strong cold front will move through Tasmania during Tuesday afternoon bringing possible damaging wind gusts to western and northeastern parts. Strong northwesterly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS in excess of 100 km/h are likely to develop in the west from early this afternoon, extending across the northeast from mid to late afternoon.
DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h from the west to northwest with peak gusts in excess of 110 km/h are possible over higher terrain, on King Island and the Furneaux Islands, and for exposed coastal areas.
Conditions are expected to ease from the west overnight Tuesday and during early Wednesday morning as the front moves to the east of the state, though gusty showers and isolated thunderstorms remain likely for southwestern parts into Wednesday morning.
Locations which may be affected include Devonport, St Helens, Swansea, Strahan, Geeveston and Dover.
Cape Grim recorded a wind gust of 115km/h at 1.42am. Scotts Peak Dam recorded a wind gust of 102km/h at 5:22am. Larapuna recorded a wind gust of 101km/h at 3.47am. Burnie Port recorded a wind gust of 98km/h at 1am.
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 5pm Tuesday. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210.