By Jack Gramenz

Destructive winds and flooding are continuing in Australia’s south-east while other parts endure near-record temperatures as winter comes to a close.

Severe wind warnings for gale force gusts are current in Tasmania, SA and Victoria, with strong winds also expected in NSW, Queensland and WA on Saturday.

Gusts of up to 110km/h are likely in Tasmania, before damaging winds ease slightly on Sunday.

A 156km/h gust was recorded in the state’s north-west on Saturday morning.

Flood warnings are also in place with several rivers in Tasmania threatening moderate flooding that could cut off main roads and isolate or inundate nearby homes.

Residents in the north of the state have been advised to monitor conditions with flooding along the North Esk River in Launceston, as well as on the Meander River to the city’s west.

Further south, similar warnings are in place along the River Derwent, with moderate flooding likely in Meadowbank and Macquarie Plains, northwest of Hobart.

More than 6000 customers were without power at midday on Saturday according to operator TasNetworks.

The strongest cold front of the recent severe weather is expected late on Saturday afternoon.

Across the Bass Strait in Victoria, damaging winds continue in the state’s south, after power was restored to more than 20,000 customers in the state’s centre and west following destructive winds during the week.

Heat records are expected to be threatened in Queensland on the last day of winter, with unseasonably warm temperatures nearing 40C in the west of the state.

Parts of Brisbane could reach up to 36C, eclipsing an August record.

As winter ends, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned there is an increased chance of warmer-than-usual temperatures around the nation throughout spring.

It will follow above-average temperatures in winter, with this August expected to be Australia’s warmest on record.