Cool change hits Melbourne after streak of warm weather
Melbourne’s recent run of warm weather has come to an end, with a cool change rolling across the city early this afternoon. However more warm weather is on the way this weekend.
VIC News
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The taste of summer Melburnians enjoyed this morning is sadly short lived, with a cool change already rolling through the city.
Melbourne’s CBD reached a maximum temperature of 29.2C just before 1pm, dropping to 17.5C just half an hour later.
The wind swung from northerly to southerly about 12.40pm, hitting the bayside region first before moving across the city.
The cool change is set to hit the northern suburbs over the next few hours.
BOM duty forecaster Beren Bradshaw said that while the southerly winds are sticking around for a while, there is more warm weather on the way over the weekend.
“We’re looking at an overnight minimum of 11C tonight climbing to a maximum of 16C tomorrow with some isolated showers on Friday,” she said.
“A top of 20C is expected on Saturday, and then we’re expecting a top of 27C and mostly sunny on Sunday as the wind changes to a northerly.”
The recent warm weather follows the coldest October morning since 1984 on Tuesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded a temperature of 4.2C at Olympic Park on Tuesday morning, with some suburbs experiencing temperatures between 1C to 3C.
It came as Victoria’s thunderstorm asthma forecasting system was switched on, with a worse allergy season predicted compared to last year.
“We want everyone, particularly those with asthma or hay fever, to be as prepared as they can for the grass pollen season,” Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.
“People with asthma and hay fever should also avoid exposure to springtime thunderstorms, especially the wind gusts that precede them.”
Dr Sutton urged those people affected to follow their treatment plans and noted that the forecasting system for thunderstorm asthma is only a backup measure.
According to botanist and Melbourne Pollen Count co-ordinator associate professor Ed Newbigin, there will be more grass pollen in the city from mid-October.
While it was a very dry year for Victoria, the amount of rain in April and May set up a bumper season for growing grass, which is good for farmers, he said.
“The downside is it sets up this year as worse than last year for hayfever sufferers in Melbourne,” he said.
Last year was a “light season” for grass pollen, Prof Newbigin added.
WHAT IS THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA?
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma is an uncommon event where many people experience asthma over a short period of time.
It’s a combination of high pollen levels, strong winds, hot temperatures, air moisture and a cold front, which triggers severe asthma attacks.
Those with undiagnosed asthma are also at risk of thunderstorm asthma during the season.
“It can result in symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, feeling tight in the chest, or experiencing persistent coughing. It can be sudden, serious and even life-threatening,” Dr Sutton said.
“Even if you don’t think you have asthma, don’t ignore symptoms as they may indicate that you have asthma — check with your GP.”
“Those at risk should always follow their asthma or hay fever treatment plan,” Dr Sutton said.
“Where possible, people with asthma and hay fever should also avoid exposure to springtime thunderstorms, especially the wind gusts that precede them.”
A Melbourne incident in November 2016 was the largest of its kind in the world and led to thousands of people suffering an asthma attack.
Ten people died and hospitals were overwhelmed by about 8500 patients. Many people, including those who had no history of respiratory issues suffered mild or severe breathing issues.
Danielle Carnevali’s daughter Hope Carnevali, 20, was one of the victims.
“I think the warnings are great, but most people will just think ‘oh this won’t happen to me’. I was probably like that,” Ms Carnevali said.
Ms Carnevali told the Herald Sun she thought the authorities getting prepared was more important — so they were ready to respond should another major event occur.
She said the family missed Hope every day, but this time of year was always hard.
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“It’s a bad reminder. Seeing ambulances, like we do most days, is probably worse, though — my children are really well-grounded despite seeing Hope pass away. They tried CPR and made the (triple-0) phone calls,” she said.
Thunderstorm asthma forecasts will be available starting Tuesday on the VicEmergency app and website.
With AAP