Damaging winds, large "possibly giant" hailstones and heavy rainfall could hit Bendigo and other parts of the region, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.

Bendigo is right on the edge of the warning area, parts of which have already been hit hard.

An area east of Echuca has already copped a deluge and strong winds with hailstones of up to two centimetress, BOM duty forecaster Dean Narramore said.

"It looks right now to avoid the worst of it but you can expect storms late tonight and into the early hours," he said.

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An emergency alert has been posted for part of Melbourne, where a "dangerous" thunderstorm is hitting.

"If you are located in Ringwood, Scoresby, Vermont, Glen Waverley, Greenborough or Kew, you are in danger. You should immediately move indoors to stay safe," the alert reads.

More than 20mm of rain fell in 30 minutes at Mount Ellington and 40 fell at Mount Elizabeth, both in the state's south.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

The next warning is due to be issued by 7:00 pm.

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