Large hailstones and dangerous winds will batter several eastern states, as storms move over the region.

Showers, thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast from south Queensland all the way down to Tasmania from this afternoon and are being driven by a cold front moving across the Great Australian Bight.

The weather may also affect parts of central Australia and the northern parts of South Australia. 

READ MORE: Australia Post announces changes to US deliveries schedule

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings for damaging gusts in southern NSW, parts of Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and southern Tasmania.

Gusts will average between 55km/h and reach a peak of 100km/h.

"They're really, really strong winds that can bring down trees and cause damage," Senior Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.

Gusts of up to 80km/h were already recorded at Melbourne Airport today, and up to 100km/h in Hobart overnight. 

As showers and winds make their way through the east, there is also a risk of hailstones.

Bradbury said large hail about 2cm to 4cm in size could hit parts of northern NSW and south-east and inland Queensland this afternoon.

"As soon as we see some storms developing that could produce that large hail, we will issue warnings for them," she said.

READ MORE: Vets issue urgent warning to dog owners over deadly virus

Residents in the affected areas are urged to avoid travel and dangerous hazards, secure loose items around their property and move vehicles away from trees.

They are also advised to stay indoors and away from windows.

The cold front will begin to move offshore towards the Tasman Sea tomorrow, but a storm risk and potential flash flooding persists for north-east NSW and south-east Queensland. 

"Brisbane may see some storms tomorrow, but the risk of severe storms is more likely across southern inland Queensland, pushing down towards the mid north coast," Bradbury said.

"Damaging wind gusts and large hail will be possible with severe storms tomorrow, but we could also see some locally heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding."

READ MORE: Aussies have fewer friends and higher tax bills, major survey reveals

The combined weather impacts could bring down trees, impacting transport and power.

"We could see damage to trees and property as the strong winds or hail move through," Bradbury said.

"We could also see some disruptions to transport and utilities through our cities, as the strong winds potentially cause some damage."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Metlink handed out chemical toilet bags as makeshift loos on board.

Seven teenagers have been charged with murder over the deaths of two children in Melbourne's west two weeks ago.

Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, were allegedly attacked by a group of people wielding knives and machetes shortly before 8pm on Saturday, September 6 in Cobblebank.

The pair were found critically injured about 200 metres apart, with Chol on Marble Drive and Dau on Cobble Street.

READ MORE: Doctor who blew whistle on mushroom murderer sanctioned

Police carried out warrants at properties about 6am today.

Police have since charged a 19-year-old Thornhill man, two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy with the murder of Akueng.

A 19-year-old Caroline Springs man, an 18-year-old Wollert man and a 16-year-old boy have been charged with the murder of Achiek.

READ MORE: 'Obscene': Driver given ticket for 'eight seconds' in parking spot

Community leader Richard Deng issued a statement thanking police hours after the arrests were made.

"Today's arrests are great news and a relief not only to the South Sudanese community but also to the wider community," Deng said.

"The arrests will renew hope and trust in Victoria Police and the government.

The community was left reeling in the wake of the boys' deaths and tributes remain at the spots where both of the boys died.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Hail blanketed streets in Bethlehem, Tauranga, leaving lawns icy for hours.

Eleven people have been arrested, nearly $1m in cash seized, haul of drugs taken.

The 26-year-old was ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder injury.

The defendant made the claim in a behind-the-scenes psychiatric interview last week.

Australia Post will resume deliveries to the US and its overseas territories three days earlier than expected following a suspension prompted by changes made to US customs and import tariff rules.

The postal service has confirmed it will allow business parcels to be shipped to the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands and US minor outlying islands from Monday, September 22.

Earlier this month the corporation originally announced the service would resume on on or before Thursday, September 25.

READ MORE: Doctor who blew whistle on mushroom murderer sanctioned

Australia Post has worked with Zonos, a US Customs and Border Protection authorised third-party provider, to offer business contract and My Post business customers a solution to meet the new rules and allow deliveries to the US to resume.

Retail customers will be able to send all parcels to the US via the Post Office network on or before October this year.

Currently, letters and documents of no commercial value, and gifts valued under USD$100, are exempt from any tariff impacts.

READ MORE: 'Obscene': Driver given ticket for 'eight seconds' in parking spot

Australia Post executive general manager of parcel, post and eCommerce Services Gary Starr thanked customers for their patience and understanding. 

"We're pleased postal sending to the US for business customers will resume three days ahead of schedule," Starr said.

"We know our customers have felt the impact and disruption from changes the US government made to customs and import tariff rules, and we have been working around the clock to re-start sending as soon as possible.

"We know just how important it is for them to be able to send items to the US through our cost-efficient postal service as soon as possible."

Australia Post was among several major international postal services which halted operations in the US after Trump's customs and tariff import rules. 

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Photographers are competing for a $15,000 prize pool across six categories.

Dog owners in north-east Queensland are being urged to keep some pets inside as rates of a potentially deadly virus climb across the region.

Canine parvovirus, also known as parvo, is a severe and fast-progressing disease that can be fatal.

9news understands that about 10 cases have been reported in the Willows/Kirwan area, about 20 minutes from Townsville.

READ MORE: Suspicious fire engulfs iconic former entertainment complex in Melbourne

Another case has been reported at Woolloongabba.

Though parvo is preventable with proper vaccination, puppies that are too young to be vaccinated and poorly vaccinated dogs can still contract it.

Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal bloating and pain, and changes to body temperature.

Without immediate veterinary care, it can be deadly.

A spike in cases across north-east Queensland prompted Greencross Vets to issue a warning to dog owners in the region to make sure their pets are up to date with all vaccinations.

"We are seeing more cases of parvovirus affecting animals in the area, so we want to encourage pet owners to stay on top of their dog's vaccination schedule," Greencross Vets Willows veterinary director Dr Wendy Smith said in a statement.

Parvo is highly transmissible and dog's don't even need to come into direct contact with an infected animal to contract it.

Though it is primarily transmitted through contaminated faeces, it can also be transferred through contact with a dog's paws or on items like leashes or bedding.

The virus can also survive in the environment for long periods of time, even after routine cleaning or rainfall.

"This means that even at home in their own environment they can be susceptible to the virus," Smith warned.

This makes the spread of parvo incredibly hard to control.

READ MORE: Woman missing after house fire on Sydney's Northern Beaches

Greencross Vets warned north-east Queensland residents to keep any dogs that are not fully vaccinated indoors and away from areas frequented by other animals.

They should also immediately bag and dispose of faeces on walks and regularly clean their dog's bedding and food and water dishes.

"This not only keeps them safe but also helps prevent the virus from spreading in our community," Smith said.

"If you're unsure of when you can take your puppy out in public, it's best to ask your vet who can advise the timing based on their current vaccine schedule."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.