City set for warmest Melbourne Cup Day since 2014

The easing of lockdown restrictions has come at the right time for Melburnians to enjoy an unusual Cup Day – at least weather wise.

After months of lockdown, Melburnians are already lapping up the sun on what is set to be the warmest Cup Day public holiday in the past five years.

Melbourne has already reached 26.1C just before 10.30am on Tuesday and is headed for a balmy top of 29C.

That would make it the warmest Melbourne Cup Day since 29.4C was recorded in 2014.

At Avalon in the southwest, it hit 29C at 10.18am, while it was more than 30C at Walpeup in the state’s northwest.

The weather bureau said areas of fog in the southeast suburbs and light 15 to 25km/h winds would clear during the morning and pave the way for a sunny day with zero chance of rain.

Unfortunately, due to coronavirus restrictions, punters won’t be able to enjoy the day in person at Flemington with not even owners allowed on site for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

But with gatherings of up to 10 people permitted outdoors, Melburnians will still be able to bask in the sunshine and enjoy the day off after months of being cooped up indoors.

Eager punters have already descended on Footscray Park on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, which enjoys an elevated view of the racetrack and a chance to witness the race that stops a nation.

Weather bureau senior forecaster Tim Bolden said the hottest Melbourne Cup Day was in 1902 when the temperature reached 35C in the city.

Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador Nadia Bartel enjoys the sunshine with 2000 Melbourne Cup winner Brew at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

He said a high pressure system moving over the Tasman Sea on Monday would bring a northerly air flow and push temperatures up.

And even though spring is usually a very variable weather period for Melbourne, Mr Bolden said it was “certainly looking dry”.

Melburnians enjoying the warm weather on Sunday afternoon in St Kilda. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Geraghty

“We do have a cold front coming through on Wednesday, but it does look like that is later on Wednesday, so even if that does speed up, it doesn’t look likely to affect the running of the race,” he said.

Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe said it was noticeably warmer across Victoria ahead of the cold front, showers and a drop to below average temperatures late on Wednesday.

Melbourne is looking at a top of 24C for Wednesday with showers developing in the afternoon and evening before it drops to just 15C on Thursday.

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