By Roy Ward
Victorians have been warned to brace for extreme weather on Monday with temperatures in the 40s and severe winds predicted for much of the state.
The fire danger will again rise to extreme in the tinder dry west and the central areas with a total fire ban declared for the Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Central and North Central fire districts.
Noah and his friends enjoy a barbecue on the Yarra River on Sunday.Credit: Jason South
Melbourne is predicted to see the mercury soar past 30 by mid-morning, above 35 at lunchtime before reaching a high of 42 degrees in the afternoon.
From between 5pm and 6pm, a sudden cool change should hit with temperatures predicted to fall by 10 to 15 degrees in just 15 to 20 minutes.
But winds gusts are predicted to come with the change with Melbourne’s bayside suburbs warned about wind gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour from 5pm into the evening.
Swan Hill and Mildura are predicted to top the state with a high of 44 while Melbourne, Shepparton, Echuca and Geelong are all tipped to reach 42.
People enjoy time on the Yarra River on Sunday.Credit: Jason South
Even Sale and Bairnsdale, on Victoria’s east coast, could see highs of 38 and 39.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Lincoln Trainor said almost all of Victoria was set for high temperatures on Monday.
“You can sum Monday up as hot, dry and windy,” Trainor said.
He added people in much of the city would notice the sudden change and the gusty winds late in the day.
“We’re a bit concerned about some gusts getting up to 80 kilometres around the bayside suburbs in Melbourne, and the small risk of 90 kilometre hour gusts with that change,” Trainor said.
“We’re going to see this amazing change in temperature but there’s still going to be some really significant gusts and wind conditions around.
“I think people are going to feel the heat. They’re going to feel relief, but then they’re going to go, ‘gee it’s windy’.”
Firefighters and meteorologists have deep concerns about the fire conditions, especially early in the morning where dry thunderstorms and lightning have the potential to ignite fires in the tinder dry western districts.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said if a fire starts on Monday, the conditions will make it tough to put out.
“Monday’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start,” Heffernan said.
Country Fire Authority chief Jason Heffernan.Credit: Nine News
“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the total fire ban declaration.
“Understand how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
Trainor said the west of the state faced a trying day.
“It’s what we call a spike day for fire danger,” Trainor said. “Those strong winds can really create havoc if a fire starts.
“Then as the front moves into western Victoria in the early afternoon, that will create a gusty south-westerly change, we could see some gusts, even up to 80 kms per hour, which, if there was a fire to start, would drive it in a new direction.”
Trainor will be keeping an eye on Melbourne’s Olympic Park weather station as it could see the first 40 degree January day since 2020, when it hit a high of 42.9 degrees on the 31st.
Life Saving Victoria also issued a warning for the Australia Day long weekend to take extra care when swimming at beaches and swim between the flags.
“Water safety is everyone’s responsibility, and I implore everyone to do what they can to stay safe in the water,” LSV chief executive Cath Greaves said.
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