A wet and windy weekend is on the way
for Tasmania, with a couple of warnings already current, including a severe weather warning for damaging winds
across northwestern Tasmania for winds that will develop
through tomorrow morning, as well as large areas of flood watch through the central
and eastern catchments of the state. And that's in anticipation of the rainfall
that's going to come over the weekend, which we'll take a closer
look at now, returning to the winds later. It's all associated with this low
pressure system sneaking in from the Great Australian Bight. Pretty isolated showers
ahead of that system, but as it starts to move closer
through Saturday towards the western Tasmanian coast, that's
when we see the rain really picking up. Showers and thunderstorms
throughout Tasmania extending across southern Victoria
and southeast South Australia as well. But really,
Tassie feeling the brunt of this system. Now, the low is going to move into Bass
Strait later on Saturday and in the overnight period,
with a second low pressure centre developing through Sunday
and then moving off into the Tasman Sea. As it moves further away, we will see
the showers and storms easing up but still a bit of wet weather
remaining by Monday. Now, in a situation like this
where thunderstorms are driving a lot of the rainfall,
the best way to keep up to date is by keeping an eye on the Bureau's
weather radar, so that you yourself can see where those punchy showers
and storms are starting to develop. Of course, keep an eye on the Bureau's
website for any warnings we may need to issue for severe
thunderstorms, particularly across eastern and southeastern parts of Tasmania,
including the Hobart and Launceston areas. Now, if we do issue warnings, it'll be for
heavy rainfall and damaging winds. Heavy rain can lead to flash flooding,
flooding roads or walkways, reducing driving visibility, and damaging winds
can bring down small trees or tree limbs on powerlines, cars
and even your property. Even if you're a Tasmanian
who is used to the wet and windy weather, it's a good idea to be prepared
this weekend with that rain and wind combining
and creating a really dangerous situation. Share this video with anyone you know, friends and neighbors, so that they can stay
on top of things as well. Now, as well as that storm driven rainfall, we are going to see the potential
for flooding from Saturday night going into Sunday, through the central
and eastern catchments. Now, that's riverine flooding, so around
our rivers, creeks and waterways. So again, if you're living in one of those
areas, be aware that your local pathways or even your property if it's lower
lying, may be impacted by flooding from Saturday night onwards. Let's take a look at the winds
now. As I mentioned, we do have a severe weather warning already
current for northwestern Tasmania, and that's for those winds
starting to pick up as the low moves close to the Tasmanian northwest
through the early part of Saturday. So, it's really from tomorrow morning
that we're going to see that risk of damaging winds
picking up in Tasmania. Through the day on Saturday, winds will pick up across the mainland too, with a high likelihood of a severe weather warning
for damaging winds across the southeast South Australian coast
and the southwest Victorian coast. That's likely later today. There is also the risk of damaging winds
with any storms that develop across Tasmania and parts of Victoria and South
Australia during Saturday as well, being brought to the surface
by those really energetic systems. As the low moves through Bass Strait
and then away, we are going to see that wind risk shifting into the more eastern
parts, including parts of Gippsland. Through Sunday, we might see further
severe weather warnings issued for other parts of Victoria
as those brisk westerly winds continue, but we should eventually see an easing
as we go into early next week. With warnings already current
and more warnings expected this weekend, you need to keep yourself up to date
with the latest via the Bureau's website and weather app. If you're unsure what action
you should take, seek advice from your local emergency services
and keep yourself safe. Catch you next time.