A rapidly deepening low pressure system, as predicted, moved south overnight. The system is now whipping Tasmania's west coast, much of Bass Strait and southern parts of Victoria.

The worst of the winds are sitting in the northwest quadrant of the low, blasting northwest Tasmania and funneling into Bass Strait.

Winds are averaging an eye watering 74km/h and gusts are reaching destructive levels.

• Cape Grim has been hit by 116km/h gusts - the highest in six months.
• In the southwest, Scotts Peak Dam hit 100km/h, a two-month high.
• Even Hobart is starting to feel the affects taking 74km/h gusts this afternoon, also a two-month high.

During Tuesday afternoon the winds will turn more southwesterly and as the low moves south the focus will move with it. Next in line will be much of western and southwestern Tasmania.

Gusts past 100km/h are very likely into Wednesday. They will ease on the Victorian coast over Tuesday night and northwest Tasmania on Wednesday morninng.

Most areas will see an end to the wild weather by Wednesday evening as a high moves in from the west.