"On Thursday, there will be winds from the north ... so that brings warmer air down from inland and that's why the temperatures come up on Thursday." It will only drop to 16 degrees on Thursday night, the warmest night in Melbourne since May 2, before a dry, windy and warm day on Friday. The warmer weather and strong winds could also potentially see a higher fire risk for parts of the state. Ms Johnson said there was the potential for fire danger in the Mallee, where it is particularly dry.

"With stronger winds on Thursday, we are looking at some of the fire danger [ratings] heading up to the high category but that's obviously something we will see more of as summer approaches," she said. However, on Friday night much colder air will begin to move over Victoria. It's likely to be dry for the clash between Richmond and the Cats at the MCG on Friday, before rain and possible thunderstorms later that night or on Saturday morning. "We do have a front coming through, at this stage over Friday night and into Saturday. We should have fairly fresh northerlies as the front gets closer during the day on Friday and then the chance of rain and maybe a thunderstorm at night," said Ms Johnson. "For the football game at this stage it looks like it will be dry, most [forecast] models are keeping the rain away until probably after the game."

However, the clash between Collingwood and the Giants will likely be wet with up to ten millimetres of rain forecast for Saturday in the morning and afternoon. Saturday is forecast to reach a top of 17 degrees, and Sunday will barely nudge Thursday's minimum with a top of 16. As the weather warms up, authorities are also reminding people to look out for snakes as they come out of hibernation and into more visible areas.

Loading The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has also warned that it's illegal to capture harm or kill snakes and those caught doing so will be investigated. Instead, licensed snake catchers in Victoria can be called for a fee to come and collect the snake, or the Environment Department can issue advice on its helpline. The eastern brown snakes are the most common type in northeast Victoria along with the occasional tiger snake or red-bellied black snake. Department's regional manager Nathan Stamkos also reminded pet owners to keep their animals away from snakes if they seen them.