A sharp cold front has passed across Tasmania and the southern coastline of Victoria today bringing a period of heavy rain and gale force winds. 

Strong winds are expected across the state today.

Also expect a temperature drop behind the front. Maximum temperatures in areas between Melbourne and Adelaide will be mostly under 20C, significantly cooler than usual.

The Southern Ocean will be stormy for the next week ahead, with the very outer edges of this unsettled weather brushing Southland, Fiordland and other parts of the lower South Island with a bit of wind, cloud, some wet weather and a few temperature drops. Nothing severe at this stage.

Early next week the lower South Island may drop another 10 degrees during the day with daytime highs potentially dropping as low as 13 degrees in Dunedin and Invercargill next Tuesday.

It’s been a windy morning so far in #Tasmania with a vigorous front crossing.
The highest wind gust recorded so far was 146 km/h @ King Is. Elsewhere saw gusts (in km/h) of: 117 @ Dennes Point, 111 @ Friendly Beaches, 107 @ Maria Is., 104 @ Launceston & Wynyard.

— Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania (@BOM_Tas) February 14, 2018

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– WeatherWatch.co.nz