Victorians are being urged to prepare for an icy outbreak which is expected to last for multiple days.
Michael Logan from the Bureau of Meteorology's (BoM) national operations centre said the cold snap was expected to be the coldest outbreak the state had seen this winter, with temperatures predicted to plummet.
"This is set to grip south-eastern Australia right from Thursday to Sunday," Mr Logan said.
"We are expecting, particularly for mainland areas, widespread damaging winds right throughout this event.
"They'll start in southern parts of South Australia on Thursday, sweeping through Victoria and up into NSW on Friday and even into Saturday."
He said winds would start to ease towards the end of the weekend, but temperatures would remain cold.
"Conditions will be easing by Sunday, but we will still have the cold air above us," he said.
"It won't be until mid next week where we see temperatures recover."
BoM Victorian severe weather manager Steven McGibbony said temperatures were expected to be around 10-12 degrees across the state.
"With fresh winds, it will feel very fresh," Mr McGibbony said.
"The maximum temperatures on Friday and Saturday will be the coldest couple of days."
He said Ballarat was forecast to have six consecutive days below 10 degrees, and if that happened, it would be the longest run that cold in August in the region since 1995.
Rain is also expected.
The north-east ranges will see the most, about 20-30 millimetres, with 5-20mm expected in southern parts, and less than 5mm in the Mallee and East Gippsland.
Mr McGibbony said it was highly likely many sheep grazier warnings would be issued.
You can stay up to date with warnings, here.