Winds as fast as 110 km/h were also possible in elevated areas and across the Furneaux Islands.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Luke Johnston said the North-East had already been "blasted" by strong winds in the past 24 hours, with speeds of 109 km/h reported at Eddystone Point and 96 km/h at Low Head.

While the windy weather was expected to ease later in the afternoon, heavy rainfall was expected to continue into Friday in parts of the state, before easing late Saturday.

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"Winds are expected to ease below the warning threshold later Thursday afternoon, although fresh southeasterly winds will continue into the area for the coming days," Mr Johnston said.

"We are likely to see persistent slow and steady rainfall about the east coast right through the rest of the day, all of Friday, and much of Saturday. Heaviest rain periods like to be Thursday afternoon and evening, with another burst on Friday afternoon.

"Rainfall over the next three days to Saturday evening are likely to bring an additional 20 to 40 millimetres to the east, with falls of 50 to 70 millimetres likely in the North East, and a further 120 millimetres to the northeast coastal ranges."

The highest reported rainfall in the 24 hours until 9am Thursday was 47 millimetres at St Patricks Head in the North-East.

A flood watched remained in place for the eastern half of Tasmania, with minor to moderate flooding possible from Thursday evening.

Drivers have been urged to stay vigilant, with poor visibility expected on the East Coast.

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