Rug up before winds send the mercury down. Credit:Ken Irwin

Victorians are being urged to park their cars under cover and secure any loose items outside their homes on Monday before damaging winds sweep through much of the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning as it expects a strong cold front to approach south-west Victoria on Monday night and rapidly cross the state on Tuesday.

Ahead of that front, gail-force northerly winds will strengthen, with gusts expected to peak at 120km/h in Alpine areas and 100km/h in the south-west district and parts of the Wimmera.

On average, though, the winds are likely to reach 50-60km/h in the south-west and 60-70km/h in the central and eastern parts of the state.