Blizzards, hail, thunder and wild winds have been forecast by the weather bureau, who issued a severe weather warning for Melbourne and parts of Victoria on Monday afternoon.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Phil King said a low front crossing through Melbourne on Tuesday would bring rain, hail and thunder and the chance of snow at Mount Dandenong, Ballarat and the Grampians. Winds between 90 km/h and 100 km/h could hit parts of Melbourne, he said.

The cold front will bring strong and squally west to northwest winds across southern Victoria, reaching gale force at times about the ranges and over coastal areas, the Bureau said.

Colder south-westerly winds will follow the change and local hail and thunder are possible with snow falls expected down to 600 metres on Tuesday night.

Strong wind warnings have been issued for Gippsland Lakes and gale warnings expected at Port Phillip, Western Port, West Coast, Central Coast, Central Gippsland Coast and East Gippsland Coast.

The Bureau also issued a flood warning, saying rivers and creeks across the Melbourne metropolitan area - including the Yarra, Maribyrnong, Werribee and Bunyip rivers, and the Dandenong Creek - could be affected.

Rainfall up to50mm is possible in parts of Melbourne by Wednesday night, with minor flooding expected to occur from Tuesday night.

The SES has warned people who live near rivers or creeks to remain vigilant and has urged them not to walk, ride or drive through floodwater, allow children near floodwater, and to stay away from waterways, stormwater drains and fallen power lines.

Blizzard conditions are expected in the Alpine areas with strong snowfalls forecast.