Storm threat eases in Victoria

The weather bureau says the thunderstorm threat over much of Victoria has eased after earlier warnings of flash flooding and possible hail storms.

But a severe storm warning is still in place for people in the western and alpine areas, as well as west, south and east Gippsland.

Heavy rains and damaging winds are expected to develop in the early hours of Monday morning.

The weather bureau had earlier issued a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging wind, flash flooding and large hailstones over the northern country, north central, central and parts of the north-east and Alpine districts.

Up to 100 millimetres of rain is expected around the Otway Ranges, alpine areas and east, west and south Gippsland.

SES spokesman John Parker says people should be alert during the wild weather.

"Be careful when out driving, people shouldn't play in and around drains or waterways, in particular those that are subject to any flooding," he said.

"And it's probably a good opportunity now with this forewarning for people to clean out their gutters and stormwater drains in anticipation [of] tomorrow.

"The bureau is expecting this rain to continue through most of Monday and conditions will fine up moving into Tuesday.

"However this rain band is going to be consistently across mainly Gippsland all of Monday, so we are going to get some significant rain throughout the day Monday."