With a top of 13 degrees, Thursday could be Melbourne's coldest day since last September. It’ll be worse for Ballarat, where the mercury is not expected to reach double-digits.

"Polar air is moving across southeastern Australia," forecaster Michael Efron said.

"We have issued a farmers and graziers warning given the very cold conditions expected."

A strong wind warning has also been released for eastern and central areas, including Melbourne.

Winds gusts up to 90km/h could buffet the city, Mr Efron said.

"Thursday morning, when people get going for work, the shower activity won’t be too bad, but it will then intensify into the afternoon, with a risk of hail and thunder as well," Mr Efron said.

"With that very cold air we’re likely to see snowfall at about 800 metres. Places around the Grampians and the ranges near Ballarat could see a dusting of snow during Thursday."

The cold snap will be followed by a low pressure system that is set to dump heavy rain over Victoria, and possibly hail and thunderstorms.

It's not good news for footy fans either, with Friday night’s MCG clash between Hawthorn and Sydney likely to be marred by strong winds and heavy rain.

"On the Friday we see a low pressure system develop, that's probably the day we will see the heaviest rainfall totals in Melbourne," senior forecaster Rod Dickson said.

"We will probably pick up around 25 to 40 millimetres depending on where that low goes."

The ranges to the north of Melbourne will see the heaviest rain, picking up 60-80 millimetres on Friday.

Gippsland could receive the heaviest falls, and there is also a chance of flooding.

"But this rain is very welcome for Gippsland, they’ve had an extremely dry start to 2018," Mr Efron said.

Residents across the state have been advised to monitor the weather bureau's website, with further warnings likely.

"The winds do ease late Friday, and so we’ll see into Saturday the showers easing as well, but still quite wintery conditions," Mr Efron said.

"There's a slight chance of a shower on Sunday, and possibly some breaks in the cloud, but not many."

Saturday is expected to reach 15 degrees, with a maximum of 16 degrees on Sunday.

With AAP