Extreme heat, ‘severe winds’ threaten Victoria’s power supply

Victorian power suppliers are scrambling to prepare for potential outages as “catastrophic” weather conditions threaten the state.

Melbourne is sweltering through its first heatwave of the summer. Picture: Ian Currie

Victoria’s power suppliers remain on alert as the state battles through a February heatwave with severe winds that could cause outages.

Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio warned on Tuesday that severe winds could disturb the state’s power supply.

Ms D’Ambrosio said both AusNet and Powercor — who run the network in the areas that are facing “catastrophic” conditions on Tuesday — are armed with additional crews that are ready to be deployed in the event of power outages.

“I’m confident that there’s sufficient electricity supply being generated,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“Where we may strike difficulties is if any of these extreme weather events cause physical damage to the electricity assets.”

It comes as Victoria swelters through its first heatwave of the summer as parts of the state soar to more than 40C, with authorities issuing a total fire ban due to “catastrophic” conditions.

The mercury is expected to reach 36C on Tuesday. Picture: Dean Martin

Community members in the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country districts have been put on high alert ahead of Tuesday’s hot and gusty conditions.

Northerly winds around 40-50km/h were expected to batter parts of the state before an intense southwesterly change delivers wind speeds between 60-80km/h.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said Tuesday’s forecast represented the “worst fire risk day” the state had experienced since the 2019/20 fire season.

“(Tuesday’s) conditions will put you and your families lives at risk if a fire starts and takes hold,” Mr Heffernan said.

“Do not plan to defend your home on catastrophic fire days - the safest place to be is away from high risk areas such as campsites, parks and forests.”

Residents in those areas have been warned not to wait for an official warning to leave as fires can start quickly and threaten lives and homes within minutes.

Senior meteorologist at the Bureau Briony Macpherson said temperatures across the state over the next few days are about eight to 12 degrees above average.

“The north west of the state will be the hottest – Mildura will reach 40C, most of the Mallee and Wimmera will be 37C to 41C,” she said.

“Parts of Gippsland will reach around 37C which is very warm for down there.”

It comes as the mercury was expected to reach 35C on Monday and 36C on Tuesday in the city, after temperatures climbed past 33C on Sunday.

Melburnians are in for a sticky night on Monday, with temperatures remaining in the 20s, before a cool change sweeps through on Tuesday afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology also issued a severe heatwave warning for East Gippsland with maximum temperatures of 37C on Tuesday.

Temperatures across the state over the next few days are about eight to 12 degrees above average. Picture: Diego Fedele

“Severe heatwave conditions are expected to ease, with a cooler change from late Tuesday night through early Wednesday morning,” the warning says.

Locations most likely to be impacted include Bairnsdale and Mallacoota.

Ms Macpherson said a much-needed cool change will make its way across the state on Tuesday afternoon.

In the city, temperatures will be a much more comfortable 19C on Wednesday and 22C on Thursday.

“Melbourne will see some cloud cover on Tuesday, and it will be windy, particularly in the northern suburbs with winds of 35 to 50km/h,” she said.

There is also the chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening.

“It will start warming up again this weekend, but it won’t be as hot as these days,” Ms Macpherson said.

The string of steamy days won’t top Melbourne’s previously hottest day this summer – on February 4 when temperatures soared to 43C in Mildura and 38C in Melbourne.

Those in an area of fire risk can find out more information on the CFA website.