Last day of summer coldest Feb day in six years as autumn chill falls across Melbourne

Melburnians layered up for the coldest February day in six years to end the summer. But meteorologists have assured it’s not all doom and gloom.

Cool and wet conditions to kick off Autumn in Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

Summer is officially over.

Gloomy autumn weather blanketed Melbourne this morning, the day beginning with showers across much of the city, as well as on the state’s east coast.

Melburnians scored a few glimpses of sunshine late this morning but can expect cool to mild temperatures and a mostly cloudy day, with a slight chance of showers.

The shift to cooler weather this week resulted in Melbourne’s coldest February day since 2017, with the city’s maximum temperature on Tuesday hitting just 17.6C, Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne told the Herald Sun.

“Southern Victoria and Melbourne in particular had a rather dreary end to summer,” she said.

Rain hit Melbourne this morning to mark the first day of Autumn. Picture: Mark Stewart

“The showery and gloomy start to the season seems apt whereas the rest of the nation is clinging onto summer today and will do so for the rest of this week.”

The cold and wet weather was especially notable in Lake Entrance this morning, with showers likely to move into Orbost and Mallacoota throughout the day.

Light to moderate south to south-westerly winds are also likely across the eastern coasts.

The north of the state can expect dry, mild and partly cloudy conditions today, with temperatures reaching into the high 20s.

The Bureau of Meteorology took to social media on Wednesday morning to announce the shift in weather, but assured Victorians the heat will return this weekend.

“A pinch (of cool air) and a punch (of light showers) for the first day of the month (and #autumn)!” a Twitter post reads.

“Mild temperatures and isolated showers about the south will persist over the next few days for #Victoria. A warmer weekend ahead.”

Due to a positive Southern Annular Mode (SAM), Victoria had a drier season than normal, particularly in the west. Picture: BOM

Temperatures are forecast to reach 30C in Melbourne on Saturday and Sunday and into the mid-30s in the north of the state.

Ms Osborne said while Victoria was under the influence of La Nina during summer, a positive Southern Annular Mode (SAM) could have been the cause of reduced rainfall “from troughs and fronts which arguably bring most of Victoria’s rain”.

“This meant Victoria had a drier season than normal, particularly in the west,” she said.

“La Nina weakens further and further over the next fortnight, meaning an average outlook for March as a whole, though it is likely to be drier than average throughout autumn.”