Weather News

Wind and rain lash southeastern Australia

Ben Domensino, Thursday July 11, 2019 - 11:00 AEST

Damaging winds and the heaviest rain in two years have hit parts of southeastern Australia during the last 24 hours, with more severe weather on the way.

A strong cold front brought showers, powerful winds and snow to multiple states and territories on Wednesday and Thursday morning.

Image: Forecast wind speeds on Thursday morning according to the ACCESS-R model.

In Tasmania, wind gusts reached 120km/h at Cape Grim and 102km/h at Swan Island early on Thursday. Widespread falls of 40-80mm were recorded in the state's north and west during the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday. Strahan's 48mm was their heaviest rain so far this year and the heaviest for July in at least 33 years.

Widespread falls of 10-20mm were also recorded on and south of the ranges in Victoria. In the state's southwest, Dartmoor's 31mm was their heaviest rain in three years and Port Fairy's 37mm was their heaviest for July in records dating back to 1994. Wind gusts exceeding 100km/h were recorded at Horsham, Casterton, Cape Nelson and Mount William on Wednesday night.

Across the border in South Australia, Mount Gambier (28mm) and Nangwarry (25mm) collected their heaviest rain in a year during the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday. Wind gusts reached 95km/h at Strathalbyn and 109km/h at Coonawarra on Wednesday, with reports of trees down in parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Winds were so strong a caravan was ripped from its trailer and thrown into a paddock. #9Newshttps://t.co/E3wizzC0Bb

— Nine News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) July 10, 2019

The front also delivered 10-20cm of fresh snow in parts of the alps on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, although the snow was accompanied by blizzards.

Image: Fresh snow at Perisher Resort on Thursday morning. Credit: Perisher

Looking ahead, showers and blustery winds will continue in southeastern Australia on Thursday before another strong front sweeps across the region on Friday and Saturday. This next system is likely to cause more damaging winds, rain and snow during the next 48 hours.

Severe weather warnings for damaging winds were still in place for parts of South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and the ACT on Thursday morning. Visit https://www.weatherzone.com.au/warnings.jsp for the latest warnings.

- Weatherzone

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