A severe weather warning of damaging winds has been issued for people in the ACT.
The warning from the Bureau of Meteorology came at 4.16am and extends to the Snowy Mountains, parts of the South Coast, Southern Tablelands and South-West Slopes.
Damaging winds averaging between 80 to 90kmh, with peak gusts of up to 130kmh, are expected to develop Alpine areas above 1900m from Tuesday morning. Affected locations could include Perisher Valley, Charlotte Pass and Thredbo Top Station.
Meteorologist Peter Stapleton said two of the highest wind gusts recorded so far were at Thredbo and Perisher where gusts reached 135kmh and 114kmh at 9am.
In the ACT, the highest gusts were recorded at Mount Ginini reaching up to 78kmh.
"We're expecting those damaging wind conditions to gradually ease a little bit through the day and be more confined to those higher peaks around the New South Wales and Victoria border," Mr Stapleton said.
North-westerly winds escalated over southern NSW on Tuesday morning as a cold front approached. This system is expected to develop into a low pressure system on Wednesday, broadening the areas affected by severe weather to the state's south-east on Thursday.
The State Emergency Service has advised residents to:
- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees
- Secure/put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony
- Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
- Be wary of trees damaged by fire, they are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown power bills
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
For emergency help in floods and storms, people can call their local SES Unit on 132 500.
The bureau also warned sheep graziers in the ACT that cold temperatures, rain and a southwesterly wind change could arrive on Tuesday evening and continue on Wednesday.
The next severe weather warning will be issued by 5:00 pm.
The strong winds have also made it a challenging day for Canberrans who have asthma or are prone to hay fever. The Australian National University's pollen forecast showed a high grass pollen rating.
A challenging day for hay fever and asthma sufferers across the ACT #CBR
— Canberra Pollen (@CanberraPollen) October 3, 2023
Strong NW winds today combined with elevated grass pollen and EXTREME tree pollen (Birch & Oak). @ACTHealth @BOM_ACT @Asthma_ACT @AirRaterUTAS pic.twitter.com/ODf117a1Xd
Moreover, there's a high chance of heavy rainfall in Canberra on Wednesday. The bureau expects between 15 to 35mm of rain.
"Should be a nice soak for the garden, and also dampening down any fires," Mr Stapleton said.
The week's weather will take a wintry turn on Thursday when the maximum temperature is expected to be 14 degrees.
"It will be 14 degrees, but it will feel colder," Mr Stapleton said. "There's also possibility of snow flurry on the higher peaks in the ACT."
