Geelong region set to sizzle through scorcher

Schools across the region have been forced to shut and homes have lost power as Geelong residents swelter through the hottest day in five years.

Ewen, Percy and Lucy Jones get out of the pre-Christmas surf at Ocean Grove. They plan to hit the beach over the festive period. Weather predictions say it's going to be a hot Christmas. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong has sweltered through its hottest day in almost five years as the mercury hit 40C at 2.13pm on Monday.

The last time Geelong maximum temperature was this high was on January 31 2020, when it reached 43.4C during the severe bushfire season known as the Black Summer, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The scorching weather is also the hottest December day in Geelong since 2019 — it reached 43.6C on December 30 during the infamous Black Summer period.

Meanwhile, more than 2800 homes and businesses were still without power in the Greater Geelong and Golden Plains areas on Monday afternoon.

As of 2.45pm, there were 1000 power outages in Bannockburn, 900 Teesdale, 785 in Fyansford, and 130 in Shelford.

All of these outages were a result of a single powerline fault.

There were still 50 buildings in Lara without power, down from 4000 at 10am.

A spokesperson from electricity distributor Powercor said it was aiming to have remaining customers’s power back on by 6.30pm.

“Powercor crews are on the ground repairing damaged equipment in Rennie St, Lara affecting electricity supply to local properties,” the spokesperson said.

“Customers have advised to prepare for an extended outage into this evening.

“We are working to restore power as quickly as possible.”

Earlier on Monday morning, a number of schools across Geelong and the Surf Coast closed due to hot weather.

Aireys Inlet Primary School, Anglesea Primary School, Forrest Primary School and Lorne P-12 College all shut for the day.

Aireys Inlet and Anglesea Primary School students were relocated to Torquay P-6 College and

Forrest Primary School students to Colac Southwest Primary School.

Lorne P-12 College students were relocated to Surf Coast Secondary College, Colac Secondary College, and Apollo Bay P-12 College.

Tanybryn Camp and Staughton Vale Outdoor Education Centre were also closed due to the intense heat and strong winds.

A Victorian Department of Education spokesperson said it was working closely with emergency response agencies to “ensure students and staff are safe”.

The temperature hit 42C in Geelong by 3.40pm.

Albie Johnson, 1, stays cool in Barwon Heads. Picture: Brad Fleet

EARLIER

Geelong and Surf Coast residents are bracing for sweltering weather on Monday, with temperatures set to soar high above the December average to a whopping 42C.

Bureau of Meteorology community information officer Morgan Pumpa said temperatures would start to rise on Sunday with a peak expected on Monday.

“The December average in Geelong is about 23.2C … so Monday will be 19C above average, and that’s pretty similar across the central districts,” she said.

Ms Pumpa said an approaching trough would see hot air being drawn through central Australia, which would cause an increase in temperature.

It comes as parents across the region were notified of potential school closures on Monday if the forecast was upgraded to “catastrophic”.

Lucy, Ewen, Percy and Lucy Jones get out of the pre-Christmas surf at Ocean Grove. They plan to hit the beach over the festive period. Weather predictions say it's going to be a hot Christmas. Picture: Alan Barber

Catholic schools across Geelong were told temperatures above 40C would trigger a stay-at-home order.

Avalon can expect a top of 43C on Monday, while Torquay will peak at 39C and Colac will reach 39C.

Ms Pumpa said the Bureau has forecast “extreme” fire danger ratings on Monday through Victoria’s central and western districts.

“The good news is we do get a trough moving in on Tuesday which brings us some cooler temperatures,” she said.

Originally published as Geelong region set to sizzle through scorcher