The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of severe weather across much of Victoria.

BOSSES in Victoria might want to forgive their employees for being bleary eyed tomorrow. Their tiredness might not be due to a post Anzac Day hangover but rather a series of “short, sharp” thunderstorms shaking the state from its slumber.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued a severe weather warning for most of Victoria with a strong cold front expected to sweep in from the west bringing storms, damaging winds of more than 100km/h and even hail.

Temperatures are also likely to plummet to well below the average for April with some inland areas struggling to reach even 10C during the day.

The Bureau of Meteorology severe weather warning area covers almost the whole of Victoria.Source:Supplied

NSW and the ACT are also facing soggy conditions although much of the rest of the country should see sun over the coming days.

The weather warning comes as Victoria’s south deals with torrential rain that has brought flash flooding to country areas around Geelong.

On Monday evening, there were 300 calls for help statewide, about 250 from the Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Geelong regions.

The Bureau’s fresh warning covers the whole of Victoria bar the state’s far north west. Damaging winds averaging 60-70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100km/h are possible near thunderstorms.

Areas around Geelong have already been hit by severe weather. Picture: Nathan DyerSource:News Corp Australia

The south west of the state is likely to be hit late on Tuesday with the front then rapidly crossing the rest of the state hitting Melbourne early Wednesday morning.

Chris Godfred, a senior forecaster with the BoM told news.com.au the cold front would roll through the state during the early morning “relatively quickly with short, sharp bursts of rain and a risk of hail”.

“It’s coming in from the Southern Ocean and while it hasn’t moved into the western Bass Strait yet it will likely do that this evening,” Mr Godfrey said on Tuesday afternoon.

First to be hit would be areas around Warrnambool. It could then pass Geelong around 2am and Melbourne at 3am before continuing towards the north and east during the late morning.

The cold front will see the mercury plunge bringing a chilly morning. “In Melbourne we’re only forecasting a top of 14C which is about 5C below average, in Hamilton it will reach 12C and in Ballarat only 10C,” Mr Godfrey said.

Rainfall is likely across the vast majority of Victoria.Source:Supplied

Even after the cold front passes, the BoM has warned squally winds of up to 80km/h, particularly along the coast, could see the damage continue.

The State Emergency Service (SES) has warned people to move vehicles under cover or away from trees, keep clear of downed power lines and put away loose items in the yard and balcony.

Victoria has already seen some miserable weather during Tuesday with grey skies and torrential rain hitting the traditional Anzac Day footy clash at the MCG.

Further south things were even worse. In the 24 hours to 9am Tuesday morning, 44mm of rain fell at Geelong Racecourse, 49mm at Barwon Heads and 54mm at Pollocksford, west of Geelong.

SES spokesman Marc Dorey said there were reports of flash floods, building damage and flooded homes.

“We’ve pretty much cleared all of the jobs overnight,” Mr Dorey said.

Heavy rain at the Frankston ANZAC Day service. Picture: Chris EastmanSource:News Corp Australia

“Most of the calls came through in a couple of hours and it took a while to churn through those.”

SES volunteers rescued more than a dozen people stuck in their cars after driving through floodwater, reported the Herald Sun.

While Geelong is likely to be hit again, the speed of the cold front means there is less risk of sustained rain bringing flash flooding.

Sydney and Canberra are also likely to see rain during the rest of Anzac Day and into Wednesday although the sun should reappear later.

Highs of 21C on Wednesday are expected in the harbour city but just 12C in the national capital.

In contrast, Brisbane will see summery conditions with the mercury hitting 28C on Wednesday. Perth will be just as sunny but cooler at 23C.

Adelaide may catch some of Victoria’s cold with possible showers and highs of 17C on Wednesday. Hobart will be lucky to reach 13C with rain.

At the top end, Darwin will push through 30C with lots of sun.