The Bureau of Meteorology are warning an intense low pressure system will be crossing southern Victoria this morning bringing a vigorous northwesterly flow ahead of it, followed by a strong southwesterly change.

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Damaging northwesterly winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are expected across southern and alpine Victoria this morning.

Damaging southwesterly winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are expected to develop along western and central Victorian coasts during the morning, with damaging winds likely to reach Greater Melbourne.

Winds are expected to ease over western districts by mid Friday morning, easing over central coast in the early afternoon, then clearing Gippsland coasts during Friday evening.

Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.

Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer Angie Bone has advised high-risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma has been forecast in the Northern Country.

Dr Bone said people may experience asthma symptoms or difficulty breathing due to the combination of thunderstorm activity and high grass pollen levels.

This is additional to the high-risk that was forecast in the Mallee, South West and Wimmera weather districts.

Dr Bone said the combination of forecast high grass pollen levels and severe thunderstorms with strong winds means that there is a chance that a large number of people may develop asthma symptoms over a short period of time.

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Residents are advised to avoid the wind gusts before the storm - go inside and close your windows and doors before and during the storm.

Health and emergency services are monitoring the situation closely and are ready to respond.

For up-to-date information visit the VicEmergency website or download the VicEmergency App.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 am AEDT Friday.

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