Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Tasmania TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Weather Warning for Damaging Winds for Upper Derwent Valley, South East, East Coast, Central Plateau and parts of Western, North East, North West Coast, Central North and Midlands Forecast Districts. Issued at 4:02 am Friday, 18 September 2026. Damaging winds developing early Friday morning, extending into Hobart during Friday afternoon. Weather Situation Westerly flow strengthens throughout Friday as a cold front passes to the south of the state. Winds will begin to ease late on Friday evening and into Saturday morning as the front moves into the Tasman. DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas: Western, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, North East, East Coast, North West Coast, Central North, Central Plateau and Midlands DAMAGING WESTERLY WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts around 100 km/h are likely to develop early Friday morning for southern elevated areas and exposed southwest coastlines. Wind gusts may exceed 120 km/h at elevated locations in the south. During Friday afternoon these winds will extend towards the Central Plateau and elevated northeast, before lowering into Hobart and remainder of the low lying eastern areas from the late afternoon. Damaging winds are expected to ease in Hobart by late Friday evening, contracting to elevated areas only by early Saturday morning. Damaging winds are expected to clear the state by late Saturday morning. Locations which may be affected include Hobart, Swansea, New Norfolk, Bicheno, Orford and Geeveston. The State Emergency Service advises that people should: * Supervise children closely. * Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings. * Manage pets and livestock. * Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment. * Be prepared in case of power outages and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004. * Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving. * Listen to the ABC radio or check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice. * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132500. The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 am AEST Friday. Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.