Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said although temperatures reached nine degrees at midday, with the wind chill the temperature would have felt as low as four degrees.

“It is normal to get fronts and temperatures like this around this time of year,” he said. 

“However, this is the first front we have had this strong this year.”

Winds of about 80 kilometres an hour were recorded in Ballarat, but the wind was expected to ease overnight. 

“Another front is approaching on Wednesday, late in the day, but it is not as strong as this one,” Mr Domensino said. 

The wild winds even affected train services, with V/Line needing to slow the speed at which trains were travelling. 

Delays of about 15 minutes were expected on all services. 

Mr Domensino said winds as strong as those experienced on Tuesday might return on Sunday. 

Over the next seven days, the highest temperature Ballarat is expected to reach is 12 degrees, leaving many people hunting for ways to keep warm. 

Small amounts of rain are expected every day as the week rolls on. 

Freezing weather even brought snow to the Grampians National Park, where only five months ago fire devastated large parts of the famous park.

The Courier arrived at Mt William around 9.30am on Tuesday, however, by then, rain and slightly warmer weather had melted most snow at the mountain which, at 1167 metres, is the highest spot in the Grampians.

On Wednesday we can expect a top of nine degrees with a 90 per cent chance of rain.