Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Central, Mallee, South West, North Central, Wimmera and parts of East Gippsland, Northern Country, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:56 pm Sunday, 25 May 2025.

DAMAGING TO LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS DEVELOPING ABOUT ELEVATED TERRAIN TONIGHT, WITH DAMAGING WINDS BECOMING MORE WIDESPREAD THROUGH WESTERN AND CENTRAL VICTORIA ON MONDAY.

Weather Situation: Northwesterly winds are expected to strengthen ahead of a cold front bringing damaging to destructive winds about elevated parts of Victoria tonight and Monday morning. The risk of damaging winds is expected to become more widespread in western and central parts of the state during Monday, particularly with showers and thunderstorms, as the cold front tracks through western Victoria during Monday afternoon and reaches central parts in the evening. Winds are expected to ease from the west behind the front Monday evening, and ease over elevated regions during Tuesday morning.

For EASTERN RANGES above 1400 metres:

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS averaging 80 to 95 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 115 km/h are possible overnight tonight and during Monday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Mt Baw Baw, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Omeo.

For GRAMPIANS, CENTRAL RANGES AND EASTERN RANGES:

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 65 to 80 km/h with peaks gusts in excess of 100 km/h are likely from this evening.

For DANDENONG RANGES:

Strong to DAMAGING winds averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible from this evening.

Winds are expected to ease below warning thresholds over elevated areas during Tuesday morning.

FOR WESTERN and CENTRAL VICTORIA including GREATER MELBOURNE and GEELONG:

Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS in excess of 90 km/h are possible about western Victoria from Monday afternoon, extending to parts of central Victoria during Monday evening.

Winds are expected to ease below warning thresholds in the west by Monday evening, and through central parts of the state by early Tuesday morning.

A separate Severe Weather Warning for ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES is also current for coastal parts of the state. Please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne.

119 km/h wind gust was recorded at Mount William at 10:18 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. 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.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.