Australia -- Victoria Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Apr 1/08 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Western Australia was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Warning Summary
A severe weather warning for all Victorian districts, for widespread damaging
winds.
A fire weather warning for all districts except Gippsland and Alpine.
A farmers and graziers warning for all districts except the Mallee and Northern
Country.
A storm force wind warning  for all Victorian coastal waters including Port
Phillip and Western Port.
A gale warning for the Gippsland Lakes.
A road weather alert for Melbourne.
Current Weather Situation and Future Developments
A deep low pressure system will develop to the west of Tasmania this morning
before moving southeastwards during the day. An associated vigorous cold front
will cross Victoria today, reaching the western districts during the morning
before extending to central and eastern areas later.  A high pressure system
will develop over the Bight during Thursday then move slowly eastwards across
northern Victoria on Friday, before reaching the Tasman Sea on Saturday.
Victoria
Wednesday:    Rain areas, isolated thunderstorms and gale force northerly winds
extending eastwards during the day. A cold, squally southwesterly change in the
west around midday sweeping through central and eastern areas later. Showers to
follow the change with local hail and thunder in the south.  Snow developing
above 1000 metres tonight. Areas of raised dust in the Mallee.
Fire Danger: Generally Very High to Extreme.
UV Index:     4-5 [Moderate]
Thursday:     Scattered showers contracting to southern and mountain districts.
Snow showers at first on the Alpine peaks.  Local hail and thunder in the
southeast at first. Cool to cold with moderate to fresh west to southwesterly
winds, tending fresh to strong near the coast at first.
Friday:       Isolated showers in southern and mountain districts contracting to
the coast. Cool.
Saturday:     Fine apart from morning fog patches in Gippsland. Generally light

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STAT News Service