A severe weather warning has been issued for the Central and South west forecast districts, and parts of the East Gippsland, North Central, North East and West and South Gippsland areas.

The bureau expected northerly winds to strengthen ahead of a cold front that would approach from the west overnight, before crossing the state during Monday afternoon and evening.

A low pressure system was forecast to move to the state’s south later on Monday, resulting in a strong and gusty westerly flow over southern parts.

The weather pattern was predicted to result in damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h, with peak gusts of about 110 km/h, in elevated parts of the western and central districts during the early hours of Monday morning.

The windy weather was expected to extend into elevated parts of eastern Victoria from late morning.

Damaging winds averaging 45 to 55 km/h, with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h, were forecast to develop in remaining parts of the warning area, including metropolitan Melbourne, from about sunrise on Monday.

They were expected to ease during the afternoon, with the risk of severe weather contracting to the southern coasts and the eastern ranges during the evening.

Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Warrnambool, Portland, Wonthaggi, Mt Buller and Falls Creek were among the areas most likely to be affected. 

The State Emergency Service advised that people should: