WEATHER: Short respite before wild weather

Commuters and motorists are expected to have a much calmer journey on Wednesday than Tuesday, with few service cancellations and road closures after wild weather.
Winds are not expected to be quite as severe as those of early Tuesday morning, which tore roofs off houses and uprooted trees.
But a severe weather warning remains in place, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of damaging winds during the morning.
The winds are forecast to average between 50km/h and 60km/h, with peak gusts of up to 100km/h across the state. Along the coast, winds could reach 120km/h.
“Conditions are clearing [but] north-westerly winds will probably increase a little during the early morning tomorrow and then we’ve got a severe weather warning out for damaging winds from about mid-morning,” a bureau spokesman said.
Residents in inner bayside suburbs have reported that trees are still being uprooted and motorists are advised to take care in the area.

The early afternoon and evening loom as particularly hazardous, with the chance of thunderstorms and small hail forecast. Any rain is expected to be minimal, with up to four millimetres forecast.
A spokesman for the State Emergency Service said volunteers were on stand-by in the event of more damaging weather.
“The forecast certainly has the potential to be as severe as today, so from our perspective as a response agency we’re gearing up to the same level, to prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” the spokesman said.

But relief in the form of finer weather is not far away. Wednesday’s front is forecast to be the last in a series of strong fronts that have buffeted the state this past week. Mild, sunny weather is forecast for Friday, with a maximum of 22 degrees, before a weaker front brings showers on the weekend.