Australia -- Victoria Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Mar 19/03 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Western Australia was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Warnings
CFA has declared a day of Total Fire Ban for the North Eastern, Central and
Eastern Total Fire Ban districts for Wednesday 19th March 2003.
Strong wind warnings are current for all Victorian coastal waters, for Port
Phillip and Western Port and for the Gippsland Lakes.
A wind warning is current for the Mallee, Wimmera, Central, North Central, and
Alpine districts.
A severe thunderstorm advice has been issued for the Western district.
A farmers and graziers warning is current for southern and mountain areas.
Weather Pattern
A cold front will continue moving eastwards across central and eastern districts
of the state this afternoon and evening and a low pressure system will form
along the front over Bass Strait.  The low pressure system will drift slowly
southeast to lie just east of Tasmania Thursday night and Friday before it moves
slowly away to the east on the weekend.  A high pressure system will develop
well south of the Bight by Saturday.      
Victoria
Tonight and Thursday: Areas of raised dust this evening, mainly in the north and
central parts. Showers,  and local thunderstorms tending to rain areas tonight.
Locally heavy falls developing on and south of the divide. Strong to gale force
north to northwest winds ahead of a cooler and fresh southeast to southwesterly
wind change extending from the west overnight. Further showers during the day,
more widespread south of the divide and tending to rain in Gippsland and central
parts. The risk of hail and thunder contracting to the southeast.
UV Index: 8 [Very high] decreasing to 3 [moderate] under cloud.  
Friday:    Scattered showers on and south of the ranges. Fine in the north. Cool
to mild.
Saturday:  Showers in the south becoming more isolated. Fine in the north. Cool
to mild.
Sunday:    Isolated showers in the south clearing. Fine in the north. Cool to
mild.
Forecast for Melbourne
Tonight and Thursday
Dusty at first. Periods of rain and the risk of a thunderstorm tonight as winds
shift fresh southerly. A cloudy day with showers continuing and fresh south to
southwesterly winds.
Min 13    Max 17
Friday
Few showers.                                Min 12    Max 20
Saturday
Shower or two.                              Min 12    Max 20
Sunday
Becoming fine.                              Min 12    Max 23
Trend for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Fine. Becoming warmer.
Forecast for Port Phillip and Western Port
Tonight and Thursday: North to northeasterly winds 25 to 30 knots shifting south
to southwesterly this evening at 20 to 25 knots. Stronger gusts possible with
thunderstorms. Southwesterly winds mainly 20 to 25 knots during the day. Waves
1.5 to 2.5 metres abating 1 to 2 metres overnight. A strong wind warning is
current.
Friday:    Southwesterly winds of 15 to 20 knots.
Saturday:  South to southwesterly winds of 10 to 15 knots, locally 20 knots in
the afternoon.
Sunday:    South to southeasterly winds 10 to 15 knots.
Headline Melbourne: Showers. 

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STAT News Service

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