Severe weather rains down on Australia Day celebrations

Severe thunderstorms moving east across Victoria are dumping heavy rain on parts of the state, putting a damper on this evening's Australia Day celebrations.

A weather warning has been issued for Bendigo, Seymour, Kyneton, Mansfield, Mt Baw Baw and Mt Buller as thunderstorms approach from the west, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of possible flash flooding.

The State Emergency Service has advised residents to stay clear of creeks and storm drains, not to drive or walk through flood water and to switch off computers and other electrical appliances during the thunderstorm.

Concerns that a major storm could develop over central Melbourne have proved groundless, with the BOM cancelling a severe thunderstorm warning for the state's capital.

The thunderstorms are expected to clear by midnight tonight.

The temperature will dip to 21 degrees overnight before returning to a high of 32 degrees tomorrow.