Flash floods to hit Melbourne

Wind gusts of up to 100kmh are expected to hit Victoria's Alpine areas in the next few hours as severe storms continue to lash the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned that the low pressure system currently tracking across Victoria towards Bass Strait will bring with it heavy rain and damaging winds averaging 70kmh, with peak gusts of 100kmh.

Overnight, the state was drenched, with motorists forced to deal with localised flooding and poor visibility.

In Melbourne, 46mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to 9am today, with 56mm at Melbourne Airport, 48mm at Viewbank, 46mm at Scoresby and 37mm at Epping and Moorabbin.

The rain has continued since, with 10.6mm in Melbourne between 9am and noon, along with 15.4mm at Melbourne Airport, 15mm at Geelong, 17.8mm at Sheaoaks, 16.8mm at Avalon and 14mm at Viewbank.

BOM has issued a severe weather warning for the Alpine areas as well as the North-Eastern, Western, North Central, Northern Country, Wimmera, Central, West and South Gippsland districts.

A strong wind warning has also been issued for Victorian waters between the South Australia-Victoria border and Wilsons Promontory. Winds up to 30 knots were predicted for this morning and afternoon, with swells up to four metres.

- © Fairfax NZ News