Heatwave warnings issued as state prepares for soaring temperatures

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe heatwave warnings for much of Victoria this long weekend with temperatures forecast to push into the 40s in some parts of the state.

The temperature is set to reach 39 degrees in Melbourne on Saturday and the hot weather will continue with both Sunday and Monday forecast to reach 38 degrees in the city. In parts of northern Victoria, the temperatures are expected to surpass 40 degrees.

The heat wave rating of severe applies to much of Victoria over the weekend and into the Labour Day public holiday on Monday. The weather is expected to cool on Tuesday with the forecast arrival of a trough from the south.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Stephanie Miles expected Saturday night would be particularly warm with the temperature unlikely to drop below the mid-20s.

“It does look like a really warm overnight minimum,” she said.

Melbourne, Ballarat, Bairnsdale, Melton, Traralgon, Horsham, Port Fairy, Stawell, Sale and Warrnambool, are among the areas likely to be impacted by severe heatwave conditions. The heatwave warning is extreme for a small section of Melbourne’s outer south-east.

The severe rating is one step below the highest rating of extreme.

The Country Fire Authority has declared total fire bans across the Wimmera, south-west, north-central, Melbourne, Geelong, west and south Gippsland regions for Saturday.

The ban means no fires can be lit or allowed to remain alight.

On Friday evening, a notice on Pitch Music and Arts Festival’s website said the CFA is advising those already at the festival site in Moyston, 90 minutes east of Ballarat, to leave.

Those who choose to stay have been asked to ensure they are prepared for a “severe heatwave over the entirety of the weekend.”

“If you are arriving on Saturday we recommend delaying your arrival until further notice,” the notice read.

Organisers said some music programming will be rescheduled over four days will be rescheduled.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the fire season was not yet over. He said the Grampians fire, which razed more than 40 homes in the town of Pomonal, was now under control.

But firefighters were still closely monitoring the Bayindeen fire that had threatened communities around Ballarat.

The Dereel bushfire burning last month. Credit: Carwoola Rural Fire Brigade

Heffernan warned even smouldering logs could reignite in temperatures that rose above 40 degrees. He said hot northerly winds increased the risk of fire, while below-average rainfall in February meant forested areas could now burn.

“We’re talking about potential locations like the Dandenongs,” he said.

Heffernan said north-westerly winds reaching 40 km/h were expected across the south-west region on Saturday morning with gusts of 50 km/h in the afternoon while the central ranges could see gusts up to 80 km/h.

Sharlene Piggott and her two-year-old son, Jordan, getting some relief from the heat on Friday. Credit: Eddie Jim

But Heffernan said grass fires were also a serious risk, and he expected fire bans would continue beyond Saturday. “I do anticipate there will be a continuation of total fire bans throughout the next three days … particularly around Melbourne.”

The forecast for extreme heat resulted in the postponement of the Yarraville Festival in Melbourne’s inner west, due to take place on Sunday. The event is now scheduled for next week.

Life Saving Victoria also urged beachgoers to take caution over the long weekend with research showing Victorians faced double the risk of drowning on public holidays, compared to other days of the year.

The emergency service said there had been a surge in drownings across this summer with 26 people dying throughout Victoria, which is a 44 per cent increase on the decade average.

Life Saving Victoria is urging swimmers to stay between the flags this long weekend. Credit: Justin McManus

Life Saving Victoria’s lifesaving services general manager Liam Krige urged swimmers to take care and stay between the flags. “The record number of lives lost to drowning this summer is yet another reminder that anyone can drown but no one should,” he said.

Lifeguards will patrol more than 65 locations throughout Victoria this weekend.

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