Australia Weather News
Senior meteorologist Beren Bradshaw says a vigorous cold front will cross the state on Sunday. - ABC
Victorians are being warned to prepare for a hot and windy weekend with a severe fire danger risk for large parts of the state.
A total fire ban will be in force for the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, South West, North Central and Central regions, including Melbourne and Geelong.
Temperatures on Saturday are expected to reach the low to mid-30s with blustery conditions.
Wind gusts are forecast to reach between 90 to 110 kilometres per hour on Sunday.
Authorities are asking people to be mindful of the heightened fire risk.
Risks posed by wind change
State response controller Gavin Freeman described Saturday as a "significant day" and urged Victorians to be vigilant.
He said any fires that break out would be difficult to contain in the expected strong northerly winds.
"The dry conditions across Victoria are really compounding the danger. We haven't had any rain for quite a while so anything that catches alight will burn quite rapidly," he said.
"We want people to realise this is a significant day. We want people to have their bushfire plans ready.
"As we move into Sunday as the wind swings to the south-west, that change can complicate fires that are already alight and make them grow quite rapidly."
He said extra Country Fire Authority (CFA) crews would be on standby.
Some relief by Sunday afternoon
The weather bureau says forecast thunderstorms also have the potential to start fires, with lightning strikes expected in the state's west.
People are being urged to be cautious in the high winds.
Authorities say Victorians should secure lose items and avoid moving around underneath trees.
Senior meteorologist Beren Bradshaw said northerly winds across the Melbourne area would start to increase on Saturday evening, with the strongest gusts due between 9:00am and 11:00am on Sunday.
"Over the weekend we will see those maximum temperatures increase into the low to mid-30s," she said.
The temperature will be about 10C above the average for this time of year.
"We are expecting fire danger ratings to reach the severe category and people need to monitor the CFA [Country Fire Authority] webpage."
Ms Bradshaw said a vigorous cold front with isolated rain would move across the state from the west on Sunday bringing some relief.
ABC