Heavy rain, strong winds forecast for Vic

Flash flooding could affect parts of northern Victoria on Friday afternoon, and winds gusting to 100km/h may affect alpine areas as a low pressure trough looms over the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for thunderstorms with heavy rain and possible flash flooding in the Mallee, Northern Country, North Central and North East forecast districts as heavy rain from the trough spreads east on Friday evening and overnight.

The warning affects towns including Mildura, Swan hill, Ouyen, Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury-Wodonga, Wangaratta, Seymour and Maryborough.

The rain is spreading from the northwest where, at Mildura, more than 50mm of rain has fallen since Thursday night.

The warning extends to alpine regions in West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland, where winds of 70km/h and gusts to 100km/h are forecast for Friday afternoon.