Melburnians are being warned to expect a wet and windy start to Tuesday, as a cold front makes its way across Victoria.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicts up to 25 millimetres of rain could fall across parts of Melbourne and Geelong on Tuesday as the front moves east across the state.

Victorian BOM manager Diana Eadie said some local falls could be much heavier, and Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs were likely to bear the brunt of wind gusts from about 3.00am.

“This is particularly of concern given that we could see this heavy rainfall occur when people are trying to get into the city or commuting on their way to work,” Ms Eadie said.

“There is the potential for flash flooding and the roads could be quite slippery.”

She suggested Melburnians took the opportunity to tie down any loose items on Monday, before the wild weather hit.

Ms Eadie said wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour were predicted in elevated areas such as the Grampians, Ballarat and Kilmore.

“Wet ground and strong winds mean that trees are more likely to come down so please be sure that you are paying attention to the conditions that are on the roads,” she said.

Tweet from @BOM_Vic

Conditions are expected to ease over Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon as the cold front moves to Gippsland.

From there, it is forecast to bring significant rain to some areas, including up to 45 millimetres at Bairnsdale.

BOM meteorologist Matthew Thomas said there could be isolated falls of 60-90 millimetres about the southern slopes of the eastern ranges.

He said after a “fairly dry” April, the deluge could leave the roads slippery and extra caution may be needed.

A separate front on Monday has already produced lightning and heavy rainfall across the state’s north-east.

-ABC