Melburnians to enjoy milder weather after hot night

VICTORIANS have tossed and turned through a hot night, with many choosing to go for a late night dip at the beach, after yesterday’s summer scorcher which saw 66 bushfires break out across the state.

VICTORIANS have tossed and turned through a hot night with temperatures remaining above 23C all night.

The temperature didn’t drop below 30C until 10.30pm and was still hovering around 27C at midnight.

The bay was the place to be this morning after a hot night. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Surf boat training at Williamstown beach this morning. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The hot night comes after temperatures peaked at 37.6C at 5pm yesterday.

As the early summer heat prevented many from sleeping people flocked to the beaches to cool off.

Today should bring some relief with a forecast top of 25C and a chance of showers.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Dean Stewart said the chance of a rumble of thunder this morning had passed and it would be partly cloudy with a refreshing southwesterly breeze.

He said conditions would be very light and pleasant over the weekend with the next change coming on Wednesday.

People escaping the heat enjoy a swim at Middle Park Beach. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

People enjoy a stroll through the cool water at Middle Park Beach. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

People escaping the heat enjoy a swim at Middle Park Beach. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr Stewart said yesterday’s heat was a “quantum leap” from the mild December weather we’ve had so far.

“It’s our warmest day so far this summer, in fact our first 30 degree day,” he said.

“So far our highest was Tuesday at only 25 degrees. It’s been a cool first 12 days of the month and now we’re finally seeing some hotter weather.”

Summer in Victoria is expected to be hotter and wetter than average.

SUMMER SCORCHER: VICTORIA SET TO SWELTER

People escaping the heat enjoy a swim at Middle Park Beach. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Sunrise at Altona Beach on Wednesday morning. Picture: David Crosling

Melbourne reached a top of 37.6C on Wednesday. Picture: David Crosling

Melbourne began to heat up after sunrise. Picture: David Crosling

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In the Mallee and Wimmera districts temperatures hit 42C in Hopetoun, 40.8C at Swan Hill and 41.5C at Horsham.

The State Control Centre last night said it had “been a challenging day for our firefighters in Victoria, with hot, windy conditions and fires at Cann River, Mooralla, Murtoa, Balmoral and Scarsdale”.

CFA and DELWP firefighters and aircrew battled 66 fires across the state.

Temperatures are expected to ease back into the mid-20s today until Saturday, however Mr Stewart said the heat would soon return.

A fire at Mooralla, one of 66 across the state yesterday. Picture: State Control Centre Facebook

The beach was the perfect place to cool off. Picture: Tony Gough

Miguel Sloan, 16, enjoys the water. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Myone, 2, likes water play. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Claudio Sikora plays cricket with clouds closing in on St Kilda Beach. Picture: David Caird

WHAT IS THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA?

STORM ASTHMA WARNING SYSTEM LAUNCHES

Sunday has a forecast top of 27C and Tuesday will be back up to 36C, with late showers.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Keris Arndt said the long term forecast for the remainder of summer was “run of the mill”, despite the occurrence of the La Niña phenomenon.

La Nina is the counterpart to the El Nino weather event that traditionally creates warmer weather patterns.

“Most La Niña events have resulted in a cooler and wetter summer,” he said.

“There’s a highly likely chance of wetter conditions, especially in eastern Victoria, associated with this. But there are generally no strong indications of it being especially hot or cool.”

BOM SAYS VICTORIAN HEATWAVE IS SHORT-LIVED

Hot across Victoria today. 37C forecast max in #Melbourne today. Cool change moving over the State later today, reaching the city around 10pm. check forecasts and warnings here: https://t.co/UYVuRwgKlp pic.twitter.com/EoBnmgneUP

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 12, 2017

The temperature soared on Wednesday. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

It comes as the RACV relaunched its campaign to remind carers to not accidentally lock children in cars after 1150 call-outs — an average of four call outs per day — this year so far.

RACV road user behaviour manager Melinda Spiteri urged parents not to give keys to children to play with, and to keep keys secure on a lanyard while on all car trips.

Sand Sculpting Australia has also revealed the theme of its new showpiece at the Frankston Waterfront, “Aladdin and The Arabian Tales”.

The exhibition was the result of over 5,000 hours of carving by 20 sculptors.

With Santa’s Sand Land Christmas Spectacular running from December 16 until Christmas Eve, tales of Aladdin, Sinbad and Ali Baba will then come alive from Boxing Day to April 25.

The Christmas family festival will include a meet and greet with Santa, stage shows and arts and crafts workshops for children.

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