A gusty change blasted the city on Monday afternoon, sending the temperature plummeting. The apparent temperature in Melbourne was just 2 degrees as the surge of squally winds hit.

The fierce cold front hit Geelong about 5pm and was in Melbourne by 6pm.

The rain also arrived, with 7 millimetres falling in Rosebud, 6 millimetres in Geelong and 4 in Werribee.

Showers are expected to continue through a cold night.

But that wont be the end of it.

Another front is rapidly approaching and expected to generate another surge of gusty, chilly winds on Tuesday.

Bureau of Metrology senior forecaster Dean Stewart said bayside suburbs were hardest hit on Monday evening, with St Kilda recording a gust of 95km/h.

Yet, he said the rain was set to ease from 8pm. "It will be mostly dry for the rest of the evening," he said.

VicRoads warned drivers to take "extreme care" in the "difficult" driving conditions.

"Wet weather should be a prompt to slow down on the roads," a spokesman said. He said motorists should leave a greater distance between vehicles, be alert for hard-to-see road users and to pull over in heavy rain.

The State Emergency Service has advised residents to move vehicles under cover or away from trees, secure or store loose itemsand keep clear of fallen power lines.

Nine flood warnings are also current for areas around Victoria, including moderate level warnings for the Kiewa and Ovens rivers.

The bureau has also issued a marine gale warning for Port Phillip, Western Port, West Coast, Central Coast, Central Gippsland coast and East Gippsland Coast, and a strong wind warning for the Gippsland Lakes.

For further information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website (www.bom.gov.au) or call the weather warning line on 1300 659 217.