SHEEP graziers in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales are expected to be hit with severe weather conditions tomorrow as strong fronts move into south-eastern Australia.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued the warning for sheep producers in the north-west and north-east pastoral areas, the lower and eastern Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, upper and lower south-east, Riverland, Murraylands, mid-north, Flinders, west coast and Mount Loft Ranges forecast districts.

Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showers with possible small hail and strong north-westerly winds turning south-westerly are expected during Thursday and Friday. There is a high risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions, BOM said.

The front is forecast to reach Port Lincoln to Mount Gambier by about 9-10 am Thursday, the Adelaide area around midday, then move through the Mid North and Riverland during the afternoon.

Damaging northwest winds around 50-70 km/h with gusts to 110 km/h are forecast for parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges and southern coastal districts from early Thursday, extending throughout the warning area during the day ahead of the front. The stronger winds are most likely to affect the higher parts and eastern slopes of the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Localised damaging westerly winds with gusts in excess of 90 km/h are also expected near and following the passage of the front, mostly with squally showers or thunderstorms and in the South East.

Locations which may be affected on Thursday include Adelaide, Mount Barker, Victor Harbor, Port Lincoln, Maitland, Clare, Keith and Mount Gambier.

A second front with further squally showers, small hail and thunder will move across the south and east of the State early Friday. Conditions will ease considerably later on Friday.

Victoria also to get strong front

The bureau also said a strong cold front south of the Bight will move towards south-western Victoria tonight before crossing the state during Thursday.

Destructive winds around 80 km/h with peak gusts of 140 km/h are forecast for parts of the North East, West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland forecast districts above 1000 metres during tonight and Thursday. In lower lying areas gusts to 110 km/h are forecast.

Damaging winds around 60 km/h with peak gusts of 100 km/h are forecast for the Mallee, Wimmera, North Central, South West and Central forecast districts and parts of the Northern Country forecast district, during tonight and Thursday, possibly reaching 110 km/h in elevated areas and about the coasts.

New South Wales:

The bureau also issued a severe weather warning for destructive and damaging winds for the areas of Illawarra, south coast, central and southern tablelands, Snowy Mountains and ACT forecast districts

A ridge of high pressure lies across northern New South Wales, while a low passes to the south of Tasmania. This pattern is generating strong winds over southern parts of the state, reaching gale-force on the Alps. Winds are expected to strengthening tonight. A strong cold front will approach south-eastern Australia on Thursday with gales likely to become more general over southeast NSW, the bureau said.

BOM said the Alpine peaks in the Snowy Mountains forecast district may experience winds averaging 65 to 80 km/h with peak gusts to 110 km/h during Wednesday. Destructive winds around 80 km/h with peak gusts of 140 km/h are forecast for parts of the Snowy Mountains forecast district on Thursday. Alpine Peaks may experience winds around 100 km/h with peak gusts around 150 km/h.

Damaging winds around 60 km/h with peak gusts of 100 km/h are forecast for parts of the Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and Australian Capital Territory forecast districts on Thursday. Alpine Peaks may experience winds around 100 km/h with peak gusts around 150 km/h.

Wind gusts to 107 km/h at Thredbo and 98 km/h at Perisher Valley have been recorded since early Wednesday morning.