Sheep producers like Yarram Park overseer Alan Campbell at Willaura will be hit by more wet weather this week. Picture: Yarram Park.

SHEEP graziers’ warnings were issued for cold, wet, windy weather in four states by the Bureau of Meteorology early this morning, as a low pressure system approached southern Australia.

The bureau said there was a risk of losses among lamb and sheep exposed to the cold, wet and windy conditions expected from Wednesday to Friday this week. The bureau will issue further warnings from 11am western standard time today.

In New South Wales, the bureau issued a warning for sheep graziers on the Northern Tablelands, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes & Plains, Central West Slopes & Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina, Upper Western, Lower Western, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory forecast districts.

The bureau said a combination of cold temperatures, rain and showers, and strong west to north-westerly winds are expected from late on Wednesday in the far west, extending to the slopes and ranges during Thursday.

It is likely that these conditions will also persist into Friday, the bureau said. Areas likely to be affected include the Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes & Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina, Upper Western, Lower Western, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory forecast districts and parts of the Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes & Plains forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

Cold, wet and windy in SA from late Wednesday

In South Australia, a warning went out to sheep graziers in the Mount Lofty Ranges, West Coast, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Flinders, Mid North, Riverland, Murraylands, Upper South East, Lower South East, North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral forecast districts.

Sheep graziers were warned that a combination of cold temperatures, rain, showers and strong winds are expected to develop over the warning area from today through until Friday. Areas of rain and isolated thunderstorms will develop over central and eastern districts during Wednesday afternoon. Very strong and cold west to south-westerly winds and heavy showers will reach western districts later Wednesday before extending over central parts of the State on Thursday, then eastern districts early Friday before easing. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

Heavy rain, cold and strong winds in Victoria

In Victoria, the bureau’s warning was to sheep graziers in the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, South West and Central forecast districts.

The bureau said cold temperatures, heavy rain and showers and strong north-easterly winds are expected during Wednesday evening. Areas likely to be affected include the Mallee, Wimmera and South West forecast districts and parts of the Northern Country, North Central and Central forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

Cold, wet, windy warning for Western Australia

Sheep graziers in Western Australia’s Lower West, South West, South Coastal, South East Coastal, Great Southern and Central Wheat Belt forecast districts were warned of cold, wet and windy conditions during today.

The bureau said cold temperatures, showers and south-westerly winds are expected during Wednesday. Areas likely to be affected include the South Coastal, South East Coastal, Great Southern and Central Wheat Belt forecast districts and parts of the Lower West and South West forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

Gale warning for Tasmania

For Tasmania, the bureau issued a strong wind warning for the Far North West coast and cancelled an earlier warning for the Central North and South West coast.

A gale warning for Thursday was issued for the Far North West Coast, Banks Strait and Franklin Sound, East of Flinders Island and Upper East Coast.

The bureau issued a strong wind warning for Frederick Henry and Norfolk Bays, Storm Bay, Channel, Central North coast, Lower East coast, South East coast, South West coast and Central West coast. A small craft alert was given for the Central Plateau Lakes.

Source: Bureau of Meteorology.