Ballarat residents are being warned to batten down the hatches as the region prepares for its third severe wind event in as many weeks.
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The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a strong cold front will approach western Victoria Thursday night then will cross the State on Friday. with peak wind gusts predicted to reach up to 110km/h on Thursday night.
Damaging winds, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are expected to develop Thursday evening over southwest Victoria, spreading eastwards overnight and early Friday morning.
Areas likely to be affected include the Central Districts. Elevated areas above 1000 metres including the tops of peaks in the Grampians are likely to experience gusts up to 110km/h.
Senior forecaster Scott WiIlliams says winds in the warning area are expected to be of similar magnitude to what was experienced last weekend.
"Generally there will be gusts of 90 to 100 kilometres per hour expected but we may see 110kmh in more elevated parts of the state," Mr Williams said on Thursday.
Those storms brought down trees and powerlines, leaving thousands of homes without power and multiple trees uprooted last week.
Destructive winds on October 9 also cut electricity to more than 100,000 homes across Victoria, leaving many customers without power for days, and a woman died in the Dandenongs when a tree fell onto her house.
Winds are expected to ease from the west early Friday.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should
- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees;
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony;
- Keep clear of fallen power lines;
The severe weather warning is in place for most parts of Victoria.,
Winds are expected to reach their peak between midnight Thursday and 7am on Friday.
Rain will follow on Friday afternoon causing the bureau to reissue flood watches for catchments in Greater Melbourne and other Victorian catchments.
