A powerful weather system is set to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Tasmania over the weekend, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a severe weather warning for parts of the state.
The bureau says eastern and south-eastern regions should expect wild conditions on Saturday as a deep low-pressure system moves across the state from the north-west.
North-easterly winds averaging 45 to 55km/h, with gusts up to 90km/h, are expected to develop around the north-east before sunrise, then sweep down the east coast to Bruny Island by midday.
Locations to be impacted include St Helens, Ben Lomond, Whitemark, Bicheno, Orford and Fingal. Winds are expected to ease north of Swansea by late morning.
Flooding is also a concern, with a flood watch issued for parts of northern and southern Tasmania.
“Minor flooding is likely across parts of northern Tasmania from Saturday afternoon, with isolated moderate flooding possible from Sunday morning,” the bureau said.
Moderate to heavy rain is forecast from Saturday morning through Sunday, with the heaviest falls expected over higher ground.
The flood watch covers nearly all major river systems across the state, including the East Coastal Rivers, Coal River, Huon, Arthur, Mersey, South Esk, North Esk and Tamar rivers.
The wild weather is being driven by a low-pressure system sitting over south-eastern Australia, which will move towards Tasmania from the north-west on Saturday and pass to the south on Sunday.
