Thunderstorm asthma warning as region braces for severe weather

Key points

• Residents of South Gippsland and the Bass Coast have been urged to prepare for a heightened risk of thunderstorm asthma. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an updated severe weather warning for damaging winds as an intense cold front creates highly unstable conditions.
• Strong north westerly winds with peak gusts above 100 km/hr are moving through western and central regions and are expected to spread east by tonight.
• Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay warned the condition can be life-threatening.