Victoria hit with 'worst winds of the year' as NSW enjoys record-breaking hot weather
Victoria has been hit by destructive winds that are set to intensify throughout Saturday, as Adelaide is lashed by wild weather and Sydney prepares for record-breaking warm temperatures Sunday.
A severe weather warning has been issued for much of Victoria on Saturday, with damaging gusts forecast to reach up to 130km/h.
Hundreds of homes have been left without power both in Melbourne and the state's east.
Victoria has been hit by destructive winds that are set to intensify throughout Saturday. Photo: Instagram/itismeajp
Scott Williams, senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meterology extreme weather desk, told 7 News Online the state was expecting the "worst winds of the year".
"It's going to go on for quite a long time yet," Mr Williams said.
"It’s even possible we could get higher gusts than what we've seen. The riskiest time is probably between now and 5 or 6pm."
Adelaide has also been hit with wild winds, with a severe weather warning in place as a cold front moves across the state.
Sydneysiders are preparing for the warmest July day in more than 27 years on Sunday. Pictured is Bondi Beach on Saturday. Photo: Instagram/lizziever
The warning has been issued for areas including Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Flinders, Mid North, Riverland, Murraylands and parts of the Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Upper South East and North East Pastoral districts.
Wind gusts around 90 km/h have been observed at Kuitpo and Hindmarsh Island this morning.
There have been numerous reports of tree damage across the southern Mount Lofty Ranges.
Meanwhile in NSW, Sydneysiders are preparing for the warmest July day in more than 27 years on Sunday, with temperatures set hit 26 degrees. The previous record of 25.9 degrees was send on July 24 1990.
A severe weather warning has been issued for much of the Victoria on Saturday. Photo: Instagram/chantelle_insta_1990
On Saturday, Broken Hill in the state's far west recorded its hottest July day ever - with the mercury hitting 25.5 degrees.
Mr Williams said parts of south-west Queensland could also see record-breaking temperatures on Sunday.
In Victoria, authorities are urging motorists headed to the state's ski stations to drive to the conditions amid concerns alpine peaks could be hit with gusts up to 130km/h.
Hundreds of homes have been left without power both in Melbourne and the state's east. Photo: Instagram/theshortismummy/renaekiely
The strong cold front approached Victoria early on Saturday morning and is expected to reach the state's southwest on Saturday afternoon.
It will then clear to the east during the early hours of Sunday.
The strong cold front approached Victoria early on Saturday morning and is expected to reach the state's southwest on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Sunrise
"We're just watching and waiting as it comes across," a SES spokesman told AAP.
The SES is advising people to move cars away from trees and secure loose items.
Areas most at risk include Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Falls Creek, Stawell, Kyneton, Wonthaggi and Hamilton.
A severe weather warning is in place for the Central and South West districts, as well as parts of East Gippsland, North Central, North East, West Gippsland, South Gippsland and Wimmera.
