Australia's south braces for powerful winds ahead of new low-pressure front

Much of Australia's southern coastline is bracing for powerful wind gusts as a low pressure system moves over the Great Australian Bight.

Expected to impact land today, the low has the potential to generate powerful wind gusts of up to 100 km/h for coastal areas of South Australia.

The strongest gusts are expected to be felt at South Australia's western coastline, with wind gusts of 80 to 90 km/h to hit Adelaide by early evening.

Similar wind speeds are expected tomorrow.

In Victoria, residents can expect isolated and scattered thunderstorms prior to the low-pressure system arriving, with most of the showers expected for the southern and central districts.

Some snow may also fall in areas 1300 metres above sea level.

Similar fresh powder is forecast for ski resorts in nearby NSW, with the first of a number of fronts crossing southeastern Australia expected to almost double the amount of snow currently on the ground.

Weatherzone said the front could bring 80 to 120cm of snow, with skiers relieved to hear that meteorologists forecast "dry" powder as cold air lingers over the mountains.

Elsewhere in NSW, Waragamba Dam has reached 100 per cent of its capacity after being less than half full in February.

"On Monday, 2.027 gigalitres of water was being held in Lake Burragorang by Warragamba Dam," Weatherzone said.

"This is more than four times the volume of Sydney Harbour and the maximum capacity for the dam, which is one of the largest domestic water supply dams in the world.

"Warragamba Dam dipped close to 40 percent of its capacity at the beginning of February. By the end of that month, it had shot up to 82.5 percent following Sydney's wettest four-day period in 30 years. This boost was followed up by more above-average rain in March and July, bringing the dam's level to 100 percent at the start of this week."

Across the top half of the country residents can expect a dry and clear day, with Kununurra in the Northern Territory tipped to be the country's hottest area with a forecast high of 37 degrees.

Here's the full forecast for Tuesday, August 18.

THE NATIONAL FORECAST

NSW and ACT

Mostly sunny, cool-to-cold in the east. Windy/snow on the Alps. Showers, cool-to-cold in the southwest. Mostly sunny, cool-to-mild in the northwest.

In Canberra it will be partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely this afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming NW 20 to 30 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening.

Victoria

Showers/storms, cold in the southwest. Showers, cool-to-cold in the southeast. Showers increasing, cool-to-cold in the northwest. Rain, cold in the northeast. Snow on the Alps.

Coldest temperatures are expected at Mt Hotham, where it is predicted to reach – 1.0 degrees.

Queensland

Sunny, cool-to-mild in the southeast. Mostly sunny, warm in the northeast. Sunny, warm in the northwest. Mostly sunny, cool-to-cold in the southwest.

Brisbane can expect a clear and sunny day with highs of 25 degrees.

Western Australia

Late shower, cool-to-cold in the southwest. Showers, cool-to-cold in the south. Mostly sunny, cool-to-mild in the northwest. Sunny, very warm in the northeast.

Perth is expecting a high chance of showers with winds turning south-west in the evening to speeds of up to 30 km/h.

South Australia

Showers/storms, cold in the southeast. Showers, cool-to-cold in central. Late showers, cool-to-cold in the west. Mostly sunny, cool-to-cold in north.

The Adelaide hills have a near 100 per cent chance of showers with gusty winds expected later in the evening.

Tasmania

Showers, cold in the southwest. Showers, cool in the southeast. Isolated showers, cold in the north.

Residents can expect slight showers with an average high of 14 degrees.

Northern Territory

Mostly sunny, warm in the north. Sunny, mild-to-warm over the interior and south.

Darwin can expect a largely sunny day with light winds turning westerly around midday before dying off in the evening.