A vigorous cold front is bearing down on the nation’s southeast, prompting Severe Weather Warnings across multiple states.

Southern parts of South Australia will be first to feel the brunt of the system. North westerly winds will increase during Sunday afternoon as the front moves closer with gusts potentially reaching up to 100km/h. Winds will then swing westerly and become squally with the passage of the front on Sunday evening.

The front will reach western Victoria on Sunday evening before moving through the rest of the state during Monday. Winds are expected to gust up to 90km/h in most districts and up 120km/h for Alpine peaks.

In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory damaging winds are expected to be confined to the alpine peaks where gust could reach 120km/h.

Winds will build on Sunday and peak on Monday in Tasmania. Wind gusts could reach 90-100km/h throughout the state however the west and south coasts along with elevated areas are most at risk. This front will also bring a cold airmass with it and snow is expected to fall to around 900 metres on the Western and Central Plateaus.

Squally thunderstorms are possible with the front and could also bring wind gusts of up to 100km/h.

A high pressure ridge in the wake of the front will allow winds to ease from Monday in South Australia and Tuesday in Victoria and New South Wales.  Strong winds will linger a little longer in Tasmania and will ease from early Wednesday.