Summer storms are common across Victoria and around Australia – but why are there more thunderstorms as the weather gets warmer?
Safety
How to prepare and protect your home from wind damage
Strong winds can occur at any time of the year but good planning can help protect your home and car from strong gusts.
Along with storms, floods and fires, strong winds have the potential to cause massive damage to your home or business.
While you can’t stop wild winds, preparing your house and having adequate home insurance can help protect you and your property.
Stay up-to-date via the VicEmergency website or app and check VicTraffic for road closures and hazards during strong winds. Phone VICSES on 132 500 for assistance or Triple 000 in an emergency.
In this article
Wet weather and storms can pose problems if you're unprepared. Image: Getty
What are strong winds and gusts?
In Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) describes winds based on the Beaufort Scale. According to this scale:
Strong winds range from 40 to 62 km/h. Can cause large tree branches and whole trees to sway, whistling from telephone wires, difficulty using an umbrella, and inconvenience if walking against the wind.
Gales range from 63 to 87 km/h. Can cause twigs and branches to break off trees, slight structural damage.
Storm-force winds range from 88 to 117 km/h. Can cause trees to uproot and considerable to widespread structural damage.
Gusts are brief (a few seconds), sudden increases in wind speed – this means that while the wind speed might be recorded as 10km/h, there may be gusts of wind that are faster.
What are tornadoes? Do tornadoes occur in Victoria?
Tornadoes are the result of warm, humid air combining with cold, dry air. They are funnels of air rotating at rapid speeds of 175 to 350km/h and most commonly occur during thunderstorms.
While cyclones only occur in Australia’s tropical regions, tornadoes can occur anywhere across the country.
According to Geoscience Australia, tornadoes are most common in Australia’s southeastern and southwestern regions, including Victoria. They are also not as uncommon as once thought – a tornado was confirmed to have occurred in Victoria’s High Country as recently as August 2024.
What causes strong winds?
All wind is caused by differences in temperature across the Earth’s surface. These uneven temperatures cause changes in air pressure, and this results in wind. The greater the difference in pressure, the stronger the wind.
It is for this reason that September is the windiest month on average in Victoria according to the BoM, as increasingly warm, sunny weather contrasts with cold winter surfaces.
Strong winds can commonly occur during storms, but they can also occur independent of them.
How to protect your home and property against strong winds
- You can protect your windows from wind by minimising debris around your property. Installing roller shutters to windows can also help protect them from wind, as well as improve security and help insulate your home.
- Regularly prune trees and shrubs to reduce loose branches coming off in high winds and dispose of these branches immediately.
- Consider tethering or bringing indoors any outdoor items likely to be picked up during strong winds. Trampolines and shade umbrellas are two common items that can be thrown by strong winds, but even heavier items like lawn furniture can be moved by gale, storm or hurricane-force winds.
- Regularly inspect your roof and gutters for loose tiles or fittings that could come off in the wind and check again after the winds have passed for any damage.
- Strong winds can bring down power lines. Have a plan in case of blackouts, especially if you don’t have a backup power supply such as solar batteries. Having a well-stocked home emergency kit is also a good idea.
- Park your car undercover where possible but not under a potential hazard (such as a tree).
- Adequate home insurance can also help minimise financial loss should the unexpected occur. It is important to revisit your policy regularly to ensure that it suits your personal circumstances and avoid underinsurance.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
