Severe weather warnings have been issued for five states and territories as wild winds buffet south-east Australia.
A strong low pressure system over the Southern Ocean has pushed a cold front over Tasmania and up towards the southeastern states on the mainland.
Warnings for damaging or destructive winds have now been issued in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, NSW and the ACT.
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The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued specific warnings for the following regions in each state:
- Tasmania – King Island, Furneaux Islands, Western, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, North East, East Coast, North West Coast, Central North, Central Plateau and Midlands
- SA – Lower South East district
- Victoria – Central, South West, West and South Gippsland and parts of East Gippsland, North Central, North East and Wimmera
- NSW and ACT – parts of South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, ACT and South West Slopes
People in the affected regions have been advised to secure outdoor items, and stay indoors and away from windows while conditions are severe.
Many have also been warned to prepare for power outages and beware of damaged trees and power lines.
Locals should also monitor for updates from State Emergency Services.
Strong wind gusts have already been recorded across all five affected states today.
A gust of 139 km/h was recorded at Scotts Peak in Tasmania early this morning, capping off six consecutive days of wind gusts exceeding 100km/h.
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A gust of 154 km/h hit Maatsuyker Island, on the state's southern tip, at 11:40am (AEST).
Wind gusts have exceeded 110km/h there every day since Sunday.
Tasmania has also been lashed with rain over the past week, with the seven-day totals creeping towards 100mm in some locations.
Farther north, a gust of 120 km/h was recorded at Mt William in Victoria's Grampians this morning.
But it's unlikely the low pressure system will bring more than scattered showers to Victoria, SA or NSW.
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