The welcomed arrival of spring sunshine has also brought strong winds to five states and territories in Australia, resulting in widespread power outages affecting thousands of residents.

A severe weather warning for damaging wind gusts is in place for residents in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and southern parts of NSW.

Wind speeds of up to 90km/h have caused significant damage, including tearing the roof from a house in north-east Melbourne, while the airport has experienced gusts over 100km/h.

The wind also brought down what appeared to be a corrugated roof on a road in Fawkner, north Melbourne.

The SES said it is responding to more than 500 incidents across the city.

Train lines are also impacted as the ferocious winds damaged cabling and ripped up power lines.

Thousands of residents in Melbourne and greater Victoria are without power this afternoon after a surge in wind gusts.

Extreme weather conditions have caused unexpected power outages for more than 3000 people across the city.

Power outages also impacted thousands of people in Tasmania earlier today after wind gusts topping 102km/h were recorded in Hobart.

Despite the windy conditions, it will remain a sunny one for the rest of today.

Warmer weather for most of the country

Springtime sun will wash across much of the land early this week in a break from repeated, successive cold fronts.

Sydney is set for a top of 26 degrees today with sunny skies, rising towards 28 tomorrow, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Temperatures will sway between low and high 20s for the rest of the week, with possible showers on Friday and Saturday.

Melbourne today has a top of 24 degrees, with the possibility of a late shower.

After today, temperatures in the Victorian capital will dip again, however, and rain will remain a possibility throughout the week.

A sunny Brisbane will peak at 25 today, but Wednesday is set to be the hottest day of the week with a top of 30 degrees.

There are possible showers forecast toward the end of the week.

Adelaide differs from most capitals as it is expected to have rain throughout the week, although temperatures will reach 25 degrees today before dropping back to 17 degrees by tomorrow.

Hobart in Tasmania will top at 23 degrees today, but temperatures are set to remain below 20 for the rest of the week.

Canberra also is seeing a high of 21 today compared to frostier temperatures and rain the rest of the week.

Darwin will remain at tops of 33 or 34 degrees all week.

Perth will reverse the trend of most capitals, starting out the week chilly and rainy with a top of 17 degrees today.

However, by the end of the week the WA capital has sunny tops of 26 degrees predicted.