The warnings have now been in place in Hamilton, Portland and Warrnambool since Tuesday morning. 

Those parts of the region saw overnight peak wind gusts of 82km/hr in Portland, 72km/hr in Warrnambool, and 63km/hr in Hamilton. 

Other areas affected include Mt William with a peak wind gust of 111km/hr, Cape Nelson (93km/h), Mortlake (80kmhr) and Casterton (69km/hr). 

But despite strong winds the region experienced a balmy evening with overnight temperatures reaching 14 degrees at 3am in Warrnambool, 13 degrees in Hamilton and 11 degrees in Portland. 

Wednesday will see a cold front rapidly cross Victoria on Wednesday morning. Showers and possible hail is forecast in the late morning and afternoon, becoming less likely in the evening. 

At 7.30am it was 10.5 degrees in Warrnambool but it felt like 4.5. 

Warrnambool is expecting a top temperature of 14 degrees, Hamilton and Colac 13 degrees. 

Damaging northerly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are expected early in the day, with the risk of damaging winds to contract parts of the south west later in the morning, mainly associated with passing showers. 

The State Emergency Service advises that people should move vehicles under cover or away from trees; secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony; and keep clear of fallen power lines.