Victoria swelters through hottest day in five years
Relief from Friday’s furnace is finally here as the cool change arrives from the state’s west. Temperatures dipped 11C at Olympic Park in less than 10 minutes after the mercury hit a high of 42C in the city today — but it won’t be cooling down for everyone.
VIC News
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Relief from today’s furnace is finally here as the cool change makes its way across from the state’s west.
Today was expected to be Melbourne’s hottest day since Black Saturday a decade ago, but the city’s top of 42.8C meant it was just the hottest since January 17 in 2014.
Mildura is still bracing for a high of 47C — its warmest day since records began.
The cool change hit Melbourne just after 2pm, bringing a windy and rapid-cooling shift that saw the temperature plummet 12C in seven minutes.
But despite the scorching heat, Ambulance Victoria responded to five reports of children being locked in cars.
Paramedics have also seen an increase in heart attacks across the state.
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— Have you or your business been affected by power outages? Email news@heraldsun.com.au
Can you spot the cool change moving northwards on doppler radar over the bay? Notice it lag as it moves over Bellarine Peninsula due to friction over land - while either side of it over water, the change is moving faster. pic.twitter.com/lr4nBGxGs8
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) January 25, 2019
There is a chance a small thunderstorm will come with the change later in the day.
Humidity and temperature were predicted to remain at more comfortable levels for the remainder of the weekend in Melbourne.
However, the cool change is not expected to move into the northeast of the state until later on Saturday, so places like Wodonga are in for another uncomfortable night in the high 20s.
Overnight, temperatures didn’t drop below 30C in some parts of the state. In Melbourne, it was 30.7C at midnight and hit 40C at midday.
High humidity levels were also predicted despite the winds, which will make the day feel hotter.
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And the extreme heat is being felt on Victoria’s transport system, with passengers warned to allow extra travel time today.
It comes as more than 60,000 homes and businesses were set to lose power as Victorians sweat through what is shaping up to be the hottest day in a decade.
Fifty-six suburbs were affected between noon and 2pm, after the Australian Energy Market Operator instructed for 200MW to be shed as the state grapples with record-breaking high temperatures, high demand and reduced generation availability.
“At this stage, we are expecting more favourable weather and supply-demand conditions midafternoon, reducing the need for scheduled supply interruptions into the evening, barring further major generation issues,” a statement said.
Residents near Timbarra, in East Gippsland, have been it’s too “late to leave” as an out-of-control bush fire bears down on them. An emergency warning has been issued.
— Stay up-to-date with fire latest at Vic Emergency
These are the records which fell across Victoria overnight:
• It’s Melbourne’s hottest day since 17 January 2014 —reaching 42.8C in the CBD before dropped 12C in seven minutes.
• Rutherglen only down to 29.3C, making it their hottest night in more than 100 years of records;
• Essendon had its warmest night in 17 years, getting to 30c, while Melbourne Airport only dropped to 29.1C; and
• Ballarat had its warmest night in 10 years, getting down to 28C, Shepparton 30C and Warrnambool 24C.
Today, places including Sale and Bairnsdale could break records with forecast tops of 45C. Swan Hill, Mildura and Echuca are heading for highs of 47C.
Tradies across Victoria have swapped their boots for thongs as construction sites close in the heat.
A CFMEU spokesman told the Herald Sun it was industry standard for all sites to shut down when the mercury hits 35C.
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“It puts workers at risk if they are expected to work in that heat,” the spokesman said.
“They can be at risk before that too, depending on the conditions.”
Meanwhile, Zoos Victoria has closed Healesville Sanctuary for the day due to the extreme heat forecast. The temperature at nearby Coldstream was 35C before 9am.
📣 ATTENTION: Healesville Sanctuary is closed today (Friday 25 January) due to the extreme heat forecast. We will reopen again tomorrow.
— Zoos Victoria (@ZoosVictoria) January 24, 2019
We apologise for any inconvenience. Please stay safe and hydrated and check on your animals. #melbweather pic.twitter.com/yXxZyYSudC
HOW YOUR COMMUTE IS AFFECTED
Trams across the Melbourne network are running to an extreme weather timetable on some routes, including replacement buses and service cancellations along at least five routes.
Yarra Trams said it was running trams with airconditioning wherever possible.
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It would also be monitor and maintain trams struggling in the heat and have extra information officers on hand.
The public transport provider advised people to stay hydrated while travelling.
“If possible, travel in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day,” the Yarra Trams website says.
“Wear a sunhat or carry an umbrella to use while waiting at stops without shade.”
Services were also going to be reduced around noon to ensure people were still able to get home in the evening peak.
Regular services are expected to resume about 7pm. Full extreme weather timetable changes can be found here.
Heat speed restrictions are impacting all regional train lines, as well as some metro trains.
“As a safety precaution, speed restrictions are likely across the network which may result in longer journey times on trains, trams and buses,” Public Transport Victoria says.
“Passengers are advised to allow additional travel time.”
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HEAT RECORDS
Australia’s highest recorded temperature: 50.7C, Oodnadatta, SA, 1960
Victoria’s hottest: 48.8C, Hopetoun, 2009
Melbourne: 47.2C (anecdotal), 1857 / 46.4C, 2009 (Black Saturday)
World: 56.7C, Furnace Creek, California, 1913
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