Cool front knocks down soaring Bendigo temperatures

Blistering temperatures expected for Bendigo for the rest of the week have been knocked down by an unexpected cool front. See what’s ahead.

Fruit-picking at the Sweet Strawberry Patch, Rochester.

Soaring temperatures predicted for the rest of the week have been revised downwards after an unexpected cold front moved across central Victoria overnight.

The forecast for Bendigo has dropped from several days in a row of near 40 degree days, down to a top of 27 degrees on Tuesday and low 30s for the rest of the week.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s senior meteorologist Michael Efron said light and patchy rainfall across central Victoria on Monday night had offset particularly hot and dry conditions.

The cool change has come as welcome relief for Rochester fruit grower Lindsay Horking, who owns the Sweet Strawberry Patch with his wife Michelle Horking.

The hydroponic business on Diggora Road holds public picking days for visitors to fill their own punnets.

A sweet strawberry patch at Rochester

“Once the temperatures get over about 34 degrees, the fruit becomes smaller,” Mr Horking said.

“And people are less likely to venture out when it’s really hot, so a drop in temperatures for the week is very welcome news for us.”

The business grows fruit in tressels at about hip height rather than on the ground. The property was flooded last October but the strawberries were saved due to their elevated position.

Lower than predicted temperatures and a further cool change expected on Saturday is also expected to help boost crowd numbers at the Great Northern Show at Rochester this weekend.

Mr Efron said there could be some showers on the way for the weekend.

“On Saturday we expect a top of 30 degrees and the cool change to arrive either early or late in the day,” he said.

“There is not a huge amount of rainfall expected over the next week and we have had very dry recent conditions.

“Bendigo has only received six millimetres in the rain gauges in the past two and a half weeks. We have seen elevated bushfire conditions and it’s something worth keeping in mind with northerly winds and warmer temperatures. People need to make sure they have their fire plans in place.”