Australia Weather News

Melbourne is mopping up after wind gusts of more than 100 kilometres per hour hit the Victorian capital, while a severe weather warning remains in place across the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said winds were expected to ease early on Sunday.

The locations most likely to be affected by strong winds include Mt Baw Baw, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Omeo.

The BOM said severe weather was no longer occurring in the central, south west and Wimmera districts.

On Saturday, the State Emergency Service received more than 950 calls for help, mostly for building damage and fallen trees in Melbourne's outer northern suburbs.

Melbourne Airport recorded wind speeds of 109kph and a number of flights have been delayed, while two from the US were diverted to Sydney.

The BOM's Christine Johnson said the strongest windshad persisted until 2:00pm before they started to ease slightly.

"We've seen the peak gusts around the Melbourne area dropping off from around the 100kph mark to around the 80kph mark," she said.

"We will probably see them remaining at that sort of level, so quite gusty throughout the afternoon, possibly tending to ease off a little bit more as the afternoon progresses just slightly."

Alpine regions were also expected to be hit hard.

Ms Johnson said the winds would probably pick up after dark, before easing off on Sunday.

"We're not expecting the winds to become light at any point, they should stay fresh and gusty throughout the afternoon and evening," she said.

She said the winds were close to record-breaking in strength for July, but the weather event was not extraordinary.

"It is something we see most years, it's probably the windiest that we've had this year so far … we do see normally one or two events each season where we get these strong winds," she said.

Rather than bringing cold temperatures the windy weather has actually brought unusual heat for this time of year.

Mildura, in the state's far north-west, experienced its hottest day in July, with a temperature of 27.1, equalling a state record set in 1975.

Power companies said electricity outagesaffected more than 10,000 households during the day, mostly in Melbourne's western suburbs.

Most had their power restored by around 4:00pm.

Train services have also been delayed by the wild weather, with trees falling on tracks on the Craigieburn and Sandringham lines.

Tim Weibusch from the State Emergency Service said extra crews had been put on to deal with the demand.

"In the alpine areas we're asking people to be alert to their conditions and in particular not to park or shelter under trees but also to take extra care on the roads given that there's the increased potential for debris including fallen trees," Mr Weibusch said.