25/05/2025
** Update: A new warning has been issued. Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/ **
Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds.
Issued at 10:52 am Monday, 26 May 2025.
Where:
For people in Central, Mallee, South West, North Central, Wimmera and parts of East Gippsland, Northern Country, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.
Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne.
When:
Damaging winds about elevated terrain, becoming more widespread through Western and Central Victoria this afternoon.
Situation:
Strong north-westerly winds ahead of a cold front are bringing a damaging wind risk to elevated parts of central and eastern Victoria this morning. This risk will develop more broadly with showers and thunderstorms on the cold front about western parts of the state from early afternoon, before extending further into central areas by this evening. Winds are expected to ease from the west behind the front this evening, before easing over elevated regions during Tuesday morning.
For Central Ranges and Eastern Ranges: Damaging Winds averaging 65 to 80 km/h with peaks gusts in excess of 100 km/h are likely.
For Dandenong Ranges: Strong to Damaging winds averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible.
Winds are expected to ease below warning thresholds over elevated areas during Tuesday morning.
For Western and Central Victoria including Greater Melbourne and Geelong: Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with damaging wind gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible about western Victoria from Monday afternoon, extending to parts of Central Victoria during Monday evening.
Winds are expected to ease below warning thresholds in the west by Monday evening, and through central parts of the state by early Tuesday morning.
A separate Severe Weather Warning for abnormally high tides is also current for coastal parts of the state.
Impacts:
122 km/h wind gust at Mount William at 11:58 pm Sunday.
Sustained winds of 67 km/h were observed at Mount Gellibrand for a period around 2:30 am.
Periods of sustained winds above 65 km/h at Mount Buller since 4:00 am, with a peak gust of 107 km/h.
Periods of sustained winds above 65 km/h at Mount Hotham since 5:30am, with a peak gust of 102 km/h.
What you should do:
The Victoria State Emergency Service 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.
The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Monday.
