Weather News

Tasmania cops brunt of cyclone-strength winds

Destructive winds across southeastern Australia reached their peak in Tasmania early this morning, gusting to 170 km/h, equivalent to a category three cyclone, according to weatherzone.com.au.

The 169 km/h winds were reported at Maatsuyker Island just south of the state before the weather station was damaged by the cyclone strength winds at three o'clock this morning. This is the strongest wind recorded at this site in at least six years and the strongest recorded anywhere in Tasmania in four years. In 2004, 190 km/h winds were measured at Mt Wellington.

At 3:30 this morning Hobart also recorded their strongest wind in at least six years, gusting 128 km/h.

After causing widespread dust-storms and damage across South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, winds are easing as a deep low heads southeast of the island state.

Winds peaked at 137 km/h in SA and 135 km/h in Victoria.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2008

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