Heatwave continues across Victoria, Australia
Central Victorians continued to swelter in the heat on Thursday as temperatures soared across the region.
The end of year statistics for 2007 declared it to be the hottest year on record for Victorians. The year ended with a particularly hot blast as the heatwave began sending New Years Eve temperatures in Melbourne soaring to 41.1C (106F). In fact, it turned out to be the hottest day of the hottest year. The heat caused residents of Melbourne to rush to the beaches for the second day running as they sweltered through the hottest New Year’s Day on record, as values once more exceeded 41C (106F).
Yesterday, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecasted a second January heatwave for Victoria. This sparked warnings from health officials about the need to take measures to keep cool, particularly children and the elderly.
In Bendigo temperatures were forecast to hit 40C (104F) today which would make it the hottest day since New Years Day (which was itself hotter than any single day last year). It would also be the 15th consecutive day to have climbed above 30C (86F). Temperatures in Melbourne today hit 41C (106F) and are forecast to hit 40C on Friday.
A change in weather is expected later on Friday and through the weekend with a cooler southwesterly wind developing. This will bring nearer average temperatures in Melbourne, around the mid-20C’s (mid-to-high 70’s in Fahrenheit). Melbourne is not alone, with Perth amongst several other cities which have kicked off the year suffering summer heatwaves.
