The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting winds averaging 50 to 60km/h in south-western Victoria, winds between 60 to 80km/h over Central Victoria, and strong winds across northern Victoria.
Other parts of southern Victoria could receive winds of 90 to 100km/h.
Bureau senior meteorologist Kevin Parkyn advised Victorians to brace for damaging wind gusts.
While the strongest winds appear to be more to the south of the state, Mr Parkyn said the northern districts could see “quite widespread damage to vegetation” ‒ including fallen tree branches and trees pushed over.
Mr Parkyn also warned of a risk to powerlines from fallen trees.
The winds are not forecast to reach the northern districts until after 5pm.
According to the Bureau, a low-pressure system is likely to rapidly deepen off the southern coast of South Australia overnight into early Wednesday morning and will move rapidly to the east-southeast, tracking over Bass Strait just off the southern Victoria coast through the day on Wednesday.
The low is likely to weaken and clear eastwards into the Tasman Sea Wednesday night.
Strong northwest to westerly winds averaging 50 to 60km/h with damaging gusts to 100km/h are likely to develop over southwestern Victoria and elevated areas during Wednesday morning, then extend eastwards over the remainder of the warning area including Melbourne in the afternoon, the Bureau said.
“Damaging west to southwesterly winds averaging 60 to 80km/h with gusts to 100 to 120km/h are likely to develop over the far southwest later Wednesday morning, and shift eastwards over the southern parts of the Central district including Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula during the early afternoon, and into south Gippsland mid to late afternoon,” the Bureau warning said.
Conditions are expected to ease over the north and west later Wednesday afternoon, over central parts in the evening and over the southeast during Thursday morning.
Locations that may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Wangaratta, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
State Emergency Service’s Geb Abbott urged people to start their preparations today for themselves and their properties.
This included people charging power devices tonight in case the power goes out on Wednesday, and making sure outdoor items are secured or stored safely.
She also asked that people reconsider any unnecessary travel on Wednesday.
The SES advises that people should:
- If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
- Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
- Be aware — heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it’s windy or wet.
- Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
- Stay away from fallen powerlines — always assume they are live.
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
- Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.
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