Wacky weather: Winds to whip up warm spell before cold snap

Victoria is in for a hammering as strong northerly winds sweep across the state, picking up dust and making temperatures warmer.

The SES has already received more than 80 calls for help.

A severe weather alert has been issued for potentially destructive winds for most of the state, including Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Horsham, Warrnambool and Seymour.

Gusts of 87 km/h (Melbourne Airport) and 111 km/h (Mount William) have already been recorded this morning.

The wind will continue until an approaching cold front moves through in the afternoon and evening. That cold front will ensure temperatures plummet over the weekend, with a top of just 13C on Saturday.

Until then, warmer weather is expected.

Melbourne is tipped to hit 19C for only the third time since May and many regional centres, from Bairnsdale (21C) to Mildura (24C), will top 20C.

Senior forecaster Rod Dixon says the winds will be strongest from mid-morning.

“The windiest periods will be, in most areas, between 10am and 3pm,” he said.