Parts of southern Australia are having their windiest day so far this year due to the passage of a powerful cold front.

Severe weather warnings have been issued for damaging winds in parts of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and southern NSW today.

As of midday EST, gusts had already exceeded 100km/h in parts of all four states, with some places experiencing their strongest wind for a few years.

The highest wind gusts so far today have been 124km/h at Mt Read in Tasmania and 120km/h at Thredbo Top Station in NSW. Other notable gusts included 117km/h at Mt Wellington near Hobart and 111km/h at Mt William in western Victoria.

Aireys Inlet's 104km/h was its highest wind gust in 16 months, while in Tasmania, Bushy Park's 96km/h was its strongest gust in three and a half years. In South Australia, Hindmarsh Island clocked its strongest wind gust in 11 months this morning, reaching 96km/h.

Wind will ease behind the front today and on Saturday morning, although fresh southwesterly winds will continue to affect some exposed areas of southern Australia this weekend.