Total fire bans, health warnings issued as Victoria swelters

Total fire bans have been declared in parts of Victoria as a once-in-a-decade sizzler heats up. Melbourne is expected to hit 35C, with Geelong already surpassing that mark — and it will only get hotter tomorrow.

Sunrise over Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards

Total fire bans have been declared in Victoria’s north and northwest amid a scorching start to summer, with some regional centres set to reach up to 42C.

Hopetoun, 400km northwest of Melbourne, has recorded the state’s hottest temperature today: a sizzling 39.6C just after 2pm.

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A top of 35C is expected in Melbourne later today, ahead of an expected overnight low of just 25C and then a gusty 38C day tomorrow.

“I would estimate that you would sort of see this heat this early in summer maybe once every five to 10 years,” Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Chris Godfred said.

Sunrise at Port Melbourne Beach ahead of a sweltering day. Picture: Jason Edwards

The heat has prompted health warnings in Victoria’s Central, Mallee and Wimmera regions.

Heat warnings will be expanded across much of the state tomorrow, while the Mallee, Wimmera and Northern Country will be subject to total fire bans.

Meanwhile, an emergency warning has been issued for an out-of-control blaze burning at Buninyong, near Ballarat.

Buninyong and Scotsburn residents have been warned it’s too late to leave as the fast-moving fire threatens homes.

In Melbourne, night time is not expected to bring much relief from the heat.

“Because of the pick up in the northerly winds tonight, we’re not really going to get much of a chance to really cool off,” Mr Godfred said.

“Our forecast minimum is 25C but having said that, that is a minimum so large stretches of the night are probably going to be closer to 30C.”

Thursday was forecast to be Melbourne’s hottest day since March 10, when it hit 35.1C in the city.

Mildura was expected to be the state’s hottest centre with a top of 40C followed by 41C on Friday.

Some parts of the Mallee could reach up to 42C, Mr Godfred said.

People, particularly the elderly, are urged to drink plenty of water and ventilate their houses as much as possible.

Children and pets should never be left in the car, where temperatures can double within minutes.

While it’s expected to stay hot in the state’s north on weekend, a welcome cool change will likely hit Melbourne early on Saturday.

Sol signalled summer's sizzle is set to soar with stunning sunset splendour! 🌇 Hot weather ahead in #Victoria before a weak cool change slowly extends from the southwest late Friday and across the weekend . 🌦️ Details: https://t.co/WKN4EOIpef pic.twitter.com/SJG4cGLpKx

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 5, 2018

“By the time we get to the weekend, we are going to see conditions cool off quite a bit,” Mr Godfred said.

“But it’s not going to be one of those classical gusty sort of changes that comes roaring up the bay during the afternoon.

“So the whole of Friday is set to be basically quite hot and not all that pleasant.”

Melbourne is expected to reach 24C on Saturday and 23C on Sunday, with possible showers.