People in Hobart are being urged to secure loose items and move vehicles under cover as severe thunderstorms move through the area this afternoon.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings for damaging winds and large hailstones across southeastern Tasmania, with a storm cell detected near Lauderdale just after 3pm tracking towards Frederick Henry Bay and Norfolk Bay.
The thunderstorm is expected to reach Frederick Henry Bay and Norfolk Bay by 3:35pm and Port Arthur by 4:05pm.
Separately, damaging winds averaging 60-70km/h with gusts around 100km/h are forecast to develop across southern Tasmania from this evening as a cold front approaches.
West to northwesterly winds will strengthen this afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front, the bureau said.
The winds will shift direction early Saturday morning before easing by late Saturday morning as the weather system moves into the Tasman Sea.
Areas under thunderstorm warnings include New Norfolk, Dodges Ferry and Bagdad, with the Bureau citing “unstable atmosphere” conditions across southeastern parts of the state.
The State Emergency Service has issued standard safety advice for residents.
People should move cars under cover, secure outdoor items and seek shelter indoors during thunderstorms.
The thunderstorm warnings affect parts of the Upper Derwent Valley, South East, East Coast and Midlands forecast districts.
Wind warnings cover the Western district and parts of Upper Derwent Valley, South East and Central Plateau districts, with locations including Strahan and Strathgordon also affected.
