Much of Victoria is at risk of heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts, prompting the Bureau of Meteorology to issue severe weather warnings for the end of the Easter break.

Two alerts for severe weather and thunderstorms cover a large portion of the state from Horsham in the Wimmera region, across to Melbourne and as far east as Falls Creek in the High Country.

The bureau forecast a risk of flash flooding in the state’s west on Monday afternoon before the weather system heads east into Tuesday morning.

Soggy conditions and lightning in the state’s west on Monday afternoon caused major delays at the Stawell Gift running carnival near the Grampians National Park, forcing organisers to push finals back as water covered the track.

Six hourly rainfalls could be between 30-50 millimetres and isolated falls of up to 70 mm were possible, the alert said.

Peak wind gusts of 90km/h were expected in the central and northeastern ranges.

Meteorologist Stephanie Miles said Ballarat, the Otways and surrounds were likely to have the heaviest rain totals on Monday afternoon while Melbourne and Geelong would bear the brunt overnight.

Ms Miles said there was no expectation of riverine flooding.

A road weather alert has also been issued for Melbourne.

“Slippery and flooded roads and reduced visibility in heavy rain will make driving conditions dangerous from Monday evening to early Tuesday morning in all suburbs,” the alert stated.\

– AAP