Victorians should enjoy a brief respite from savage cold winds while they can. A new pool of cold air is about to cover the state, bringing strong southwesterly winds and snow down to 400 metres by early afternoon.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Scott Williams says winds eased by early Friday morning but a fresh blast of cold air is arriving in southwestern Victoria and should hit central regions by early afternoon with hail, thunder and snow.
"It (snow) could be as low as 400 metres. It will be cold enough to snow in the Dandenongs, some of those hilly areas in the outer metropolitan area, Kinglake," he said.
But Mr williams said showers, hail and snow should begin to clear in the evening as the state comes under the influence of a high pressure system.
A few showers will linger in southern Victoria but inland areas can expect widespread frost.
While the overnight minimum in Melbourne is expected to be 5C, inland centres such as Ballarat and Bendigo will drop to -2C and Mount Hotham will shiver with -8C expected there.
Frosty mornings and sunny days are expected across Victoria until a new, weaker cold front arrives mid-week, Mr Williams said.
Meanwhile, social media users in Ballarat shared photos of rare snowfall blanketing their town. Here are some of the best:
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