Batten down the hatches and bring an umbrella if you must go outside, because winter has well and truly arrived.

Residents of Melbourne and eastern Victoria have been warned to brace for 24 hours of wild weather, including heavy rain and strong winds.

Residents of Melbourne and eastern Victoria have been warned to brace for 24 hours of wild weather Credit:Justin McManus

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for half the state, including Melbourne, Daylesford, Bright in the state's north and Orbost in the far east.

The extreme weather, including heavy rain possibly leading to flash floods, was expected to traverse Melbourne in the early hours of Monday and then move across Gippsland through until Monday evening.