12.50pm:
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Strong winds and morning showers in the Bendigo area dropped the temperature to six degrees.
But it was the apparent - or "feels like" - temperature that showed how cold it was in the city.
Wind speeds averaging 35km/h helped drop the apparent temperature to -2 degrees Celsius, so if you thought it was colder that six degrees, you were right.
Apparent temperature takes into account elements other than the actual temperature.
"You might be outside on a day that is 15 degrees but that feels different on a calm sunny day than if a howling winding is blowing," Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Stuart Coombes said.
"That observation in Bendigo of six degrees with the apparent temperature of -2 degrees - if you look at the wind speed with gusts of 54km/h, that creates wind chill.
"It looks like a shower came through around then as well which knocked both the actual and apparent temperatures down. It must be pretty unpleasant out there today."
"We have a formula that works out the temperature compared to a calm day. (Bendigo) is losing eight degrees today.
"Exposed surfaces of skin get chilled more efficiently and you get colder faster."
Similar to the cold snap Victoria experienced earlier in the winter season, the low temperatures are being caused by winds coming off the ocean near Antarctica.
"In general, these cold outbreaks come with masses of air from ocean waters just off Antarctica," Mr Coombes said. "It makes the journey (to Australia) quickly.
"Winds are just south west of Victoria and west of Tasmania and moving quickly north-northeast and will move across west and north-west Victoria late today and tonight.
"There are again low snow levels down to 500 metres. A lot of place that don't see snow could see snow (this weekend)."
There appears to be no immediate respite from the bitterly cold winds with more expected to sweep across the state this weekend.
"Behind that (wind coming today) there is another mass of air leaving Antarctic waters now," Mr Coombes said. "It is expected to come thorough Saturday night with our models saying it will hit more central rather than western (parts of the state).
"There is a deep low sitting east of Tasmania. With southerly and south-westerly winds driving that air over state. Because that low is not moving, in the next 48 hours we will get a procession (of winds)."
11am:
ROBERT Campbell's basketball hoop took four people to put it up. But it was no match for the "ferocious" wind last night.
Despite weighing about 35 kilograms, it was twisted off the wall on which it had sat for 40-45 years.
Mr Campbell remembered hearing a bang in the night, but didn't realise it came from his yard.
It must have been the basketball hoop breaking free of its bolts through the rafters
"It's always been solid, never moved. This wind last night was just ferocious, honestly, the noise we heard," Mr Campbell said.
9.30am
SNOW has fallen on Mount Macedon overnight, following a strong cold front that passed through Victoria.
The Mount Macedon Volunteer Fire Brigade posted a video on social media showing flurries of snow falling on the mountain.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the snow should continue throughout the day.
"Mount Macedon will continue to see snow on and off," bureau duty forecaster Stewart Coombs said.
"The mountain is about 1000m high and the snow level is close to 500m today, so places like Trentham and Mount Macedon will continue to see snow.
"These sort of general conditions will persist through to Saturday and Sunday."
The SES urged people to reduce speed, maintain a greater distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, and take extra care in observing signs.
VicRoads said riders should carry chains and fit them if required when driving in alpine areas.
The Mount Macedon Fire Brigade has urged people to stay safe on the roads and head VicRoads advice.
"Mount Macedon is a beautiful place and it's understandable that snow brings joy and excitement for so many locals and visitors alike," the brigade's community safety coordinator Nicky Haslinghouse said. "But it can be as dangerous as it is lovely.
"So it's really important that anyone driving on wet, icy, slippery roads at this time of year, especially over the next few days, does so with care and caution to keep themselves, and their passengers safe."
The bureau said weather in Bendigo and the surrounding region would be more mild.
"The core of the strongest winds are affecting the south-east suburbs of Melbourne," Mr Coombs said. "In the north central areas, there will be gusty south-west winds but they will not be damaging.
"We're still going to see some shower activity, particularly in the afternoon but it will ease off into the evening in the Bendigo area.
"There may even be the chance of hail and some thunderstorms."
The SES said there were no significant incidents in the region overnight or this morning.
Earlier
BENDIGO and surrounds are likely to miss the brunt of damaging winds across the state on Friday.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for people in central, north-east, west and south Gippsland and parts of east Gippsland, south-west and north-central forecast districts.
Most of central Victoria is outside of the warning zone, with the exception of Daylesford.
A sheep graziers warning is also in place for much of the state, including central, north-central and Mallee forecast areas.
The bureau warned cold temperatures, showers and westerly winds were due on Friday, and south-westerly winds on Saturday. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.
The damaging winds could affect Warrnambool, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
Peak wind gusts could reach up to 110 km/h about southern parts of the south-west and central districts, including the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, and the west Gippsland coast.
The strongest winds are due to affect the Melbourne area between 5am and 9am on Friday.
Blizzards are likely in the alpine region.
The bureau predicts winds will ease over western and central areas on Friday morning and over the east in the afternoon.
A previous severe weather warning for the Mallee, Northern Country and Wimmera districts has been cancelled.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should move vehicles under cover or away from trees; secure or put away loose items around their house, yard and balcony; and keep clear of fallen power lines.
The next severe weather warning will be issued by 11am.
VicRoads urged motorists to slow down and use extreme care on the roads.
A spokesperson said there were multiple trees down across the state and crews were working hard to clear them.
"With high winds expected to continue, drivers should be vigilant on the roads and ensure nothing distracts their focus from the road," the spokesperson said.
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