Melbourne’s mercury is expected to hit 20 degrees for four days straight as Victoria moves towards spring, but winter isn’t over yet as a cold front looms for the weekend.
On Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology forecast a sunny day with a top of 20 degrees in the city and only a 5 per cent chance of rain. Meteorologist Belinda House said that maximum was five degrees above the August average.
City workers crossing La Trobe Street as the sun rises on a warm winter Monday.Credit: Penny Stephens
On Tuesday, the weather bureau predicts a mostly sunny day with a maximum of 20 degrees. On Wednesday, a shower or two is expected later in the day, but the temperature should again reach 20 degrees.
Later in the week, Thursday is due to be partly cloudy, with a 30 per cent chance of rain and top temperature of 20 degrees. On Friday, a high chance of showers is forecast, but the mercury should still reach 19 degrees.
House, from the weather bureau, said a high-pressure system over the Tasman Sea meant northerly winds would hit Victoria while low-pressure systems remained weaker and further south, causing relatively uninterrupted northern airflow to drive a warmer spell for several days.
“It’s nice looking at a couple of days of 20 degrees, but by no means we could call it the end of winter, with a cooler weekend on the way,” House said.
“The August maximum for Melbourne is 23.8 degrees, so this is by no means unprecedented weather.”
House said a cold front originating in the Great Australian Bight would eventually cross Victoria on the weekend, causing Melbourne’s maximum to drop back to 14 degrees on Sunday.
The sun rises on La Trobe Street on Monday morning.Credit: Penny Stephens
Once spring does begin within the next month, the weather bureau’s climate outlook currently forecasts above-average maximum and minimum temperatures.
“In terms of rainfall, it’s perhaps suggesting a lean towards a drier-than-average spring,” House said.
It follows a generally drier-than-usual winter across Victoria. Farming communities in western Victoria were among the hardest hit in a so-called “green drought”.
Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.