Damaging winds could hit Bendigo and central Victoria: severe weather warning issued

Strong and squally winds are likely to descend on large parts of Victoria tomorrow.

A severe weather warning has been issued for damaging winds, which could develop over western Victoria on Thursday afternoon and move through the rest of the state throughout the evening, the Bureau of Meteorology has predicted.

The west to northwesterly winds are likely to move into central Victoria tomorrow, averaging 60km/h to 70km/h, with peak gusts of up to 100km/h.

Bendigo could see a top of 11 degrees, with the chances of a thunderstorm or hail in the late morning and afternoon, according to the BOM.

Blizzards are likely in the state's alpine region, above 1200m.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

Tuesday, 6.30pm

FOUR states including Victoria are preparing for damaging winds, rain and potentially large snow falls across alpine areas from Thursday.

Some areas might receive up to half their average August rain in two days as blustery winds and bitterly cold temperatures descend.

Bendigo is already likely to have two to eight millimetres of rain on Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting.

Thursday could see a thunderstorm and anywhere between 10 and 15 millimetres of rain fall, with winds up to 35 kilometres per hour.

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Light showers are expected through to Sunday, according the the BOM.

People in Castlemaine, Maryborough and Echuca can expect similar conditions.

The BOM said in a Facebook post that the cold snap would bring mixed blessings for the state's primary producers, "with welcome rain for some but concerns for livestock and crops due to the cold winds and low temps".

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