this is the life: This man enjoys the best that Ballarat has to offer, lounging back in his picnic chair while enjoying Ballarat’s balmy weather and its number one jewel, Lake Wendouree. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER
THIS IS the one time of the year the rest of the country can be jealous of Ballarat.
Yes, Ballarat is renowned for its long and harsh winters – but now, as the rest of the country swelters through heatwave conditions, Ballarat will enjoy a few moderately warm days.
WeatherZone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said that after yesterday’s scorcher, the region was in for a nice week.
“Yesterday was the hottest day for the next week by a lot – getting up around the 36-37 degree mark, which is around 11-12 degrees above the average for this time of year,” Mr Dutschke said.
“The next hottest day will be Friday, which may get up around 34 or 35, so still not as hot as yesterday.”
Today is predicted to be a nice and warm 29 degrees.
“Today will be cooler – you’ll notice the cool change start to come through before midday as it will get windy, and then showers later in the day,” he said.
“It will still be a concern for bushfires, as the showers will only be a millimetre or so.
“After this afternoon we’ll be out of that high-risk time for a few days.”
Being cooler than the rest of the country does sometimes have its advantages.
“It’s the elevation – how high Ballarat is above sea level. It gets cooler air,” Mr Dutschke said.
“Wednesday mightn’t reach 20. It will be quite cool.”
Mother-of-two Jodie Knight struggles through the heat.
“Ballarat gets about three really bad days a year, and the rest of the time it’s not too bad,” Ms Knight said.
“I’ve been looking at the bureau forecasts for the rest of the week – apart from Friday it won’t be too bad.”
Other inland cities in Victoria have experienced much harsher weather than Ballarat.
“Northern Victoria will experience a little cooling as well. Yesterday was Mildura’s fifth day of more than 40 degrees, and today looks like it will be their sixth day,” Mr Dutschke said.
“They will drop back to 27 or 28 on Wednesday, but Friday looks like it will get to the low 40s again.”
Ms Knight is thankful that Ballarat doesn’t endure such heavy heat waves.
“The rest of the country seems to be sweltering – thank god I don’t live in the other states,” she said.
“I’m just not a hot person – since I’ve had kids I just seem to enjoy the cool.
“I have family that go to Hattah, near Mildura, each year for Christmas – but I couldn’t handle the heat. I wouldn’t go up there around this time of year for sure.”
With heat re-emerging on Friday, Ballarat will be on fire watch again before a cool weekend.
nicole.cairns@fairfaxmedia.com.au
