Melbourne braces for 90km/h winds as heavy rain raises flood risk across parts of Victoria and Tasmania

Damaging winds exceeding 90km/h could lash Melbourne on Wednesday as wet and windy weather sweeps across Australia’s southeast.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds across parts of central Victoria, including Greater Melbourne, the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas and the central ranges.

News24 senior meteorologist Alison Osborne said winds were expected to strengthen from the morning and persist through the afternoon before easing in the evening.

“This means winds could exceed 90 kilometres per hour, bringing the risk of tree branches down, power outages, and dangerous driving conditions,” she said.

The damaging winds are being driven by a trough crossing Victoria and a high pressure system in the Tasman Sea strengthening northerly winds across the southeast.

Melbourne faces a 90 per cent chance of rain and a top of 17C, with showers spreading across Victoria during the morning and becoming more persistent over the northern ranges.

Further rain through Friday could also cause rivers to rise across already saturated catchments in northern Victoria and northwest Tasmania.

Between 20 and 50mm could fall across parts of Victoria’s northern ranges, while northwest Tasmania could receive 40 to 60mm.

Minor flood warnings remain in place for several rivers in northern Victoria, although no flood watches have been issued.

Tasmania will see showers build from late morning, becoming heaviest across the northwest, while Hobart will reach 18C with a 60 per cent chance of rain.

Conditions will improve further north, with days of showers along the NSW coast easing on Wednesday.

Sydney will reach 20C with only a slight chance of a late shower, while rain and possible thunderstorms are forecast across western NSW.

National forecast for WednesdayMelbourne

Showers with damaging winds possible through the day. High 17C, low 13C. A 90 per cent chance of rain.

Brisbane

Chance of showers, with wetter conditions along parts of the southeast Queensland coast. High 23C, low 12C. A 40 per cent chance of rain.

Sydney

Mostly dry with only a slight chance of a late shower. High 20C, low 11C.

Hobart

Partly cloudy with showers developing later. High 18C, low 8C. A 60 per cent chance of rain.

Adelaide

Showers most likely during the morning before conditions ease. High 18C, low 11C. A 95 per cent chance of rain.

Perth

Chance of showers. High 20C, low 9C. A 70 per cent chance of rain.

Canberra

Frost and fog possible early before cloud increases. High 18C, low 1C.

Darwin

Dry, warm and mostly sunny. High 34C, low 22C.

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