Gusty winds and blizzards expected to hit Australia’s south this weekend amid severe weather warnings

“Fierce winds” lashing large parts of southern Australia could continue into the weekend with blizzards likely to hit Victoria and NSW.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts “gusty” and “possibly damaging winds” could continue to impact South Australia, NSW, ACT, Victoria and the south coast of Western Australia in the coming days as two cold fronts reach southern Australia.

Damaging winds are already impacting South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges and coastal range are forecast to reach Adelaide by Friday evening before continuing into Saturday across parts of the state.

Winds gust across the state are expected to average about 60 to 70km/h, with some anticipated to reach about 90 to 100km/h.

Similar strength winds will also hit the Grampians and the northeast alpine region of Victoria from Friday afternoon and through to Saturday afternoon, with the winds also likely to cause blizzards in the alpine regions.

A severe weather warning for damaging winds already in place for people in parts of East Gippsland, South West, North East, West and South Gippsland, Central, North Central and Wimmera Forecast Districts could extend to parts of southern Victorian and Melbourne on Saturday.

The winds are also expected to move up the coast and into the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales and ACT from Friday evening.

Those in Victoria and NSW hoping to hit the ski slopes this weekend could be disappointed, with many lifts likely to be closed or on wind-hold due to blizzards in the mountains.

However, by Monday morning between 30 and 60 cm should have accumulated at the major ski resorts right across the country, including in the ACT, in what would be the heaviest snowfalls of the season so far.

“Very strong” winds are also possible in Sydney, the Illawarra and Newcastle on Saturday, with highs of 19C forecast for the regions.

As well as gusty winds, Adelaide is forecast to experience a wet and cold weekend as temperatures are expected to reach a top of 15 on Saturday with minimums of 8C.

Further east, Melburnians will be preparing for showers for much of the weekend with temperatures also set to plummet to 7C.

In Perth, temperatures are anticipated to reach maximums of 20C and a high chance of showers is forecast for much of Saturday and Sunday.

Hobart and the ACT will shiver through the weekend as minimums are expected to reach 4C and 0C respectively.

While much of Australia battles damaging winds and chilly temperatures, Brisbane is forecast to have a sunny weekend, with the mercury reaching a top of 24 on Sunday.