Cold, wet and windy: Victoria gets an early taste of winter
Melbourne has had its wettest start to the year in almost a century, with a total of 409.6 millimetres of rain falling since New Year's Day.
The record set at the Melbourne Olympic Park weather station far eclipses the total rainfall for the whole of last year, when 374.4 millimetres was recorded.
"It's been the wettest start to the year since 1924 and the fifth wettest April on record," meteorologist Michael Conway said.
Snow blanketed Mt Buller on Thursday after a cold snap hit Victoria. Credit:Teddy Laycock
The rain that lashed the state on the last day of April was forecast to continue through a frigid Friday, although it won't be quite as wet as Thursday.
"It's quite a strong system," Mr Conway said. "Although, we're not expecting as much rain as we've been having."
The city's total April rainfall was more than 138 millimetres, making it the wettest April since 1960.
The city recorded 24 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday, while the eastern and southeastern suburbs recorded close to 40 millimetres. In the subsequent 24 hours, there were falls of 8 and 15 millimetres respectively.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned Victorians to prepare for early wintry conditions, with 12 degrees the forecast high temperature for Melbourne on Friday.
Unseasonably low temperatures have already delivered snow to the state's ski resorts, and by Saturday Falls Creek, Mount Buller and Mount Hotham are expected to have as much as 40cm of snow as the temperature falls below zero.
Severe weather warnings are in place for potentially damaging winds of up to 100km/h for coastal areas and the alpine region.
Snow fell on Mt Hotham on Thursday.Credit:Nine News
The Mornington Peninsula is also expected to experience strong gusts.
The chill and rain will persist across the state through to the weekend, with the wind making it feel even colder, especially in Melbourne and along the coast.
-with AAP