If you’re heading away for the weekend – or planning a trip to the coast - take care. 

A severe weather warning remains in force and has been extended to the entire southern half of Victoria as a front moves in from the Southern Ocean.

The change will sweep across Victoria overnight Friday and early Saturday, producing a cold, vigorous and unstable southwesterly airstream on Saturday.

Castlemaine, Maryborough, Kyneton and Daylesford are in the warning area, which has been in place for several days.

People can expect winds averaging 60 to 70km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are expected to develop over parts of the southwest district on Friay night, then extend over central and alpine areas overnight and early Saturday and over Gippsland Saturday afternoon.

Peak wind gusts of 110km/h are possible about exposed coastal locations and with thunderstorm activity.

Coastal and elevated areas will be the most at risk of damaging winds. These should ease over most inland areas by late Saturday afternoon, but area likely to persist along parts of the coast.

Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Morwell, Traralgon, Sale, Moe, Bairnsdale, Orbost and all alpine resorts.

Sheep graziers have also been warned that the cold temperatures, showers and strong winds will be a risk to lambs and sheep, with potential losses if exposed to the conditions.

Update 6am, Friday

Another severe weather warning has been issued for central Victoria, with damaging winds expected later on Friday.

Parts of the region have been subject to such warnings since Wednesday, but the warning now covers a larger area.

Castlemaine, Maryborough, Kyneton and Daylesford all fall within the warning area.

The Bureau of Meteorology says damaging winds averaging 60 km/h to 70km/h with peak gusts of 90km/h to 100 km/h are expected to extend over central parts of the state overnight on Friday and early Saturday.

The winds are expected because of a strong cold front that will produce a “cold, vigorous and unstable southwesterly airstream on Saturday”.

The SES advises that people move vehicles under cover or away from trees, secure or put away loose items outside, and keep clear of fallen power lines.