Wednesday 12.30pm:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THE Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Stewart says a strong cold front will impact most of Victoria on Wednesday.
"Ahead of that front is a lot of warm air which is pushing the fire danger up through central and western parts of the state, and into the extreme for the top north west corner of the state," he said.
"That front will reach the south west corner of the state in the middle of the day and reach Melbourne about 7pm."
He said wind gusts would get up to 90km/h in most of the state.
"We are likely to see see some showers and thunderstorm activity ahead and with that change as it moves into central western parts of the state," he said.
"Behind the change will be a period of rain in central parts of Victoria."
Wednesday 8.30am:
The bureau has renewed its severe weather and fire weather warnings for the Wimmera on Wednesday.
At 5am, the organisation said the weather would be "Hot with strong and gusty north to northwesterly winds ahead of a cooler, gusty west to southwesterly change which is forecast to reach the west of the State during the afternoon and extend eastwards during the evening".
"Isolated thunderstorms ahead of the change, with the risk of dry lightning over northwestern Victoria," the update said.
The bureau has recommended residents action their bushfire survival plans.
"A strong cold front will approach Victoria from the west Wednesday, reaching the southwest during the afternoon and crossing to the east by Thursday morning," it said.
"Damaging, averaging 50 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are forecast to develop over western and central areas of the State from Wednesday morning, more likely over elevated areas."
Tuesday, 7.15pm:
There is a risk of dry lightning in the Wimmera and Mallee tomorrow as a change arrives.
The Bureau of Meteorology said Wednesday would be hot, with strong and gusty winds ahead of a cooler change, forecast to reach the west of Victoria during the afternoon and then extend eastward.
The Mallee has an extreme fire danger level, with the Wimmera having a severe fire danger forecast.
Warracknabeal is forecast to hit 33 degrees, Dimboola 32 degrees, Horsham and Ararat 31 degrees and Stawell 30 degrees.
Tuesday 2.50pm: A total fire ban has been declared for the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Countries for Wednesday.
The Central, North Central and South West areas will also have a total fire ban.
No fires can be lit in the open air between 00:01 hours 23:59 hours on Wednesday.
People living in areas at risk of fire have been advised by the CFA to activate their bush fire plans.
Tuesday, 12pm: Strong and gusty winds have been forecast to hit the Wimmera on Wednesday as a cold front crosses the region, bringing possible thunderstorms.
Horsham, Stawell and Ararat are among the centres likely to be hit by wind gusts up to 90km/h.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds, averaging 40km/h to 60 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h, particularly for elevated areas in western and central areas of Victoria.
Winds between 50km and 70km/h with squalls to 90km/h likely to hit inland western areas following the front.
The windy conditions are expected to ease within a couple of hours as the front moves east across the State.
The BOM warned residents that trees that have been damaged by heat or fire may be unstable and more likely to fall in windy or wet conditions.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Check that loose items such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured and 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.
* 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.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines always assume they are live.
* Stay informed monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency.
The next severe wather warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Tuesday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.