Residents of Melbourne and Stonnington are bracing for unseasonably high temperatures as summer gives way to autumn, with local forecasts indicating peaks reaching 40 degrees Celsius over the coming days. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the heatwave gripping northern and western Victoria has intensified, prompting warnings and advisories.
“What brings a heatwave is the warmer nights, because you get no reprieve from the heat, which can affect vulnerable people,” said senior forecaster Lincoln Trainor. He noted the minimum temperature on Sunday evening was forecasted at 23 degrees, which was expected to rise to 25 degrees on Monday night, creating conditions unfavorable for many.
The scorching weather not only raises temperatures but also increases the risk of bushfires across the state. Emergency alerts have been issued, with residents encouraged to leave high-risk areas immediately. For example, the community of Mirranatwa, close to the Grampians National Park, received a 'leave immediately' warning on Sunday as fire threats loomed.
“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” the emergency warning outlined. The elevated temperatures are likely to exacerbate the situation, with Melbourne still forecast to hit 39 degrees on Monday and 34 degrees with a cool change expected on Tuesday.
Compounding these heat-related troubles, thunderstorms have already impacted the state. Over the weekend, parts of Geelong suffered damage from severe storms, with the SES responding to hundreds of calls due to flash flooding and wind damage.
“People need to be a little more careful and aware because those severe thunderstorms later Sunday afternoon and evening around Melbourne have the potential to bring damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall, which could lead to localised flash flooding,” Trainor warned.
Michal Smith from local media reported significant power outages, with over 40,000 residents across Victoria affected due to the storms, particularly around Geelong, where roofs were damaged and trees were downed across numerous suburbs.
“SES received 492 calls to 9pm, with South Barwon, Corio, and Geelong being the most affected areas,” she added. Powercor's updates also revealed large outages, with thousands still without electricity on Sunday evening as restoration efforts continued.
Finally, the forecast shows no immediate relief from the heat wave. While residents may look forward to some cooler temperatures forecasted for mid-week, Trainor emphasized the current conditions have led to prolonged dry spells, making any fires particularly difficult to control.
With the heatwave stretching until at least Tuesday, Victoria's fire authorities will remain on high alert, especially for the areas currently experiencing active fires and bushfire warnings established earlier this month. Community safety remains the utmost priority as authorities urge individuals to stay informed and prepared as conditions swiftly change.