The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting ‘uncomfortable’ nights as temperatures rise in Victoria

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a heatwave warning for parts of the state, with some Victorians set to swelter through temperatures of more than 40C.

Boiling days and hot nights set to hit Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

Victorians are set to swelter through sleepless nights this week as boiling temperatures sweep through the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a return to summer temperatures in Victoria to end the work-week, kicking off with temperatures reaching into the mid-30s on Wednesday.

“[On Wednesday] we’re going to see temperatures through the northwest of the state increasing to the 30s, so 36 at Mildura, 35 at Swan Hill and 34 at Horsham,” Senior Meteorologist Michael Efron said.

Victoria is set reach tempartures in the mid-30s on Thursday. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology.

Friday’s temperatures will remain high after an overnight low of 25. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology.

“In Melbourne, we’re looking at a total of 31 degrees. A return to the 30s in Melbourne after a cool spell of weather.”

On Thursday, temperatures are then expected to jump into the 40s in some parts of the state, including Mildura, with a high of 35 in Melbourne.

“Temperatures into the 40s through the northwest, 40 in Mildura. We’re looking at around 41 degrees in Ouyen, Swan Hill, 39, Horsham also 39 and for Melbourne, a top of 35 on Thursday,” Mr Efron said.

The meteorologist also warned that Victorians were in for two “uncomfortable” nights, with a low of 25 degrees on Thursday night.

“We start to see warmer nights as well. So in Melbourne, we’re expecting a low of 21 degrees Wednesday night into Thursday … and we’re looking at a very warm night, Thursday night into Friday,” he said.

Beach days are on the cards for Melburnians this week. Picture: Luis Ascui

“Often on a lot of those nights, the temperature actually stays in the high 20s and we don’t drop to that low until maybe six or seven in the morning.”

The heat will remain through Friday, before a welcome cool change rolls into Melbourne late on Friday night, he reported.

“It will be even warmer in some parts on Friday. So we’re going to see in the north the state temperatures in Mildura reaching 42, Swan Hill, 41, Echuca, 40. And in Melbourne a top of 33,” he said.

“We will then see that cold change moving in. That will arrive into the west of the state during Friday, late Friday afternoon and then pushing into Melbourne in the evening. So some relief late on Friday.”

A severe heatwave warning was issued for Gippsland east on Tuesday, with Mallacoota expected to be impacted.

While northwestern Victoria hit 40 degrees over the weekend, Melbourne has not recorded a 40 degree day since January 31, 2020.

“And that’s largely as a result of just the run of La Nina events that we’ve had … typically many cooler and wetter conditions across Victoria,” Mr Efron said.

For those hoping for a few more beach days before the end of summer, the senior metrologist said more heat is expected towards the end of February and into early March.

Temperatures are set to reach into the mid-30s in Melbourne and into the 40s for northwestern Victoria. Photo: Darrian Traynor.

“We will see most hot conditions developing again before the month is out. And even in the first part of March, we do tend to see some pretty hot days as well.”

He said while a heatwave warning has not yet been forecast for the state, Victorians should start preparing for the hot conditions.

“Stay hydrated, stay as much as possible out of the sun, and obviously wear appropriate clothing, sunscreen and hats as well.”