Melburnians traded their winter coats for T-shirts and rejoiced in the first flush of hot weather on Saturday as the mercury hit 30 degrees.
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It had been six months since the thermostat reached such heights.
Temperature records tumbled across the state, as strong winds picked up a band of hot air from the country's red centre and dumped it over Victoria.
The mercury soared to 37.7 degrees in Mildura, making it the hottest September day on record for the border town (Mildura weather records have been kept since 1889). The previous September record of 37.4 degrees was set in 2003.
Swan Hill recorded its hottest September day in nine years, with the temperature topping 36.3 degrees.
Bairnsdale in East Gippsland, where it reached 35.4 degrees, had not seen a warmer September day since 1980. That beat the previous record by 2 degrees.
But the early taste of summer was short-lived.
A blustery south-westerly change arrived just as the Tigers went into battle against the Giants at the MCG.
Goddammit Melbourne weather, every damn time ???? pic.twitter.com/uboEfPGYV8??? Jill Haunter ???? (@fantasyprone) September 23, 2017
High-rise apartment residents were warned to take furniture off their balconies as a severe weather warning was issued for wind gusts up to 100km/h.
By 4.40pm, the cool winds had whipped up inside the 'G, the temperature had dropped to 19 degrees and possible thunderstorms were on the horizon, the bureau warned.
"It was bloody hot," Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Rod Dickson said.
"This is certainly at the extreme end of what we can experience at this time of year."
The winds were expected to hit elevated areas of the CBD hardest.
"Particularly for people who are in high-rise developments, winds above surface levels on those higher floors could be strong enough to dislodge objects from balconies, so people do need be careful about that in the metro area," bureau forecaster Stuart Coombs said.
"Also, the city buildings do tend to funnel winds so there could be some pretty strong gusts at street level."
Mr Coombs said the unstable atmospheric conditions would bring the chance of thunderstorms, with the risk highest between 2pm and 7pm.
It is expected to be partly cloudy with a top of 18 degrees on Sunday.
"There could be some showers over the eastern suburbs," Mr Dickson said.
A maximum of 16 degrees is forecast for Monday, and 17 degrees on Tuesday.
Bad call, wind has changed here in North Melbourne, about to shift at the 'G #AFLTigersGiants??? Leon Sammartino (@LeonSammartino) September 23, 2017
Red sky in the morning - Severe Weather Warning! Damaging winds to develop over much of #Victoria today. Details: https://t.co/JrHe5r6hFC pic.twitter.com/9XPMpmnUk9??? BOM Victoria (@BOM_Vic) September 22, 2017
Still pretty calm in #Melbourne at the moment but the barometer is dropping like a rock, here comes the wind!!??? Capt Daags (@CaptDaags) September 23, 2017
I have embraced this spectacular shorts weather in Melbourne ????????????????? Luke is voting YES???? (@lucrious) September 23, 2017
This is Melbourne #AFLFinals weather!??? @OO_17 (@OO_17) September 23, 2017
This weather - ??????????????.
Unfortunately I live in Melbourne where nice weather never lasts. ??????????????? Lachy Steele (@Lachysteele16) September 23, 2017
A+ Saturday weather so far, Melbourne: 25.7?? and a nice breeze.
But expect it to get gusty soon. Damaging wind warning for much of state. pic.twitter.com/RQeINuZSWn??? 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) September 23, 2017
Brought #PortDouglas weather with me! #Melbourne Even had my regulation swim this morning.#Icy Getting rid of the pre-game jitters #gotiges pic.twitter.com/cbsVqi5Qdq??? Keithea Schaedler (@portdouglas) September 23, 2017
