SYDNEY, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Damaging winds of up to 110 kph were set to hit many parts of Australia's Victoria state during the weekend, with coastal and elevated areas most at risk, weather authorities warned on Saturday.

A strong cold front over central Victoria was expected to sweep across the remainder of the state, "establishing a cold, vigorous and unstable southwesterly airstream," according to the national bureau of meteorology. Locations which may be affected included state capital Melbourne and port city Geelong, it said.

The state emergency service also advised residents to keep vehicles under cover or away from trees and to stay clear of fallen electric cables.

In February, a cold front across Victoria brought damaging winds of more than 100 kph, causing major power outages, traffic disruption and damage to buildings in Melbourne.