Strong winds, possibly damaging, are expected in South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania on Monday, ahead of a very active week.

A vigorous cold front will sweep through south and eastern Australia between Monday and Wednesday. Northwesterly winds will strengthen ahead of it during Monday across the southeast.

The strongest winds will be felt from around morning over the capes of Kangaroo Island, Eyre and Yorke peninsulas, Lower South East, and Mount Lofty Ranges in SA; the Alps and South West in Victoria, and western Tasmania. The exposed coasts and ranges of these areas might see wind gusts reaching above 90km/h.

Consequently, raised dust is possible over parts of the agricultural area and south of the pastoral districts in SA.

Anemometers could measure gusts exceeding 70km/h in Adelaide, most likely around midday, and exceeding 60km/h in Melbourne and Hobart during the afternoon as the front moves gradually east.

Image: 10-metre wind gusts on Monday afternoon according to ACCESS-G3. 

The system will also generate an extensive rainband as the day progresses stretching from western SA to Hobart, with the heaviest falls in northern Tasmania and the Mount Lofty Ranges, where 24-hour totals should range 15-30mm to Tuesday morning. Thunderstorms are also possible, most likely to develop behind the band of rain overnight and continue into Tuesday.

The cold front will continue to track east during Tuesday spreading the rain and showers to much of NSW, with snow levels falling throughout the day as the airmass becomes colder. A low pressure system should form over the Tasman in the wake of the front, which could bring heavy rain and more gusty winds to eastern Victoria and southeast NSW later in the week.

So be sure to check the latest warnings and updates on this weather event on Weatherzone’s app and website.