Ballarat is basking in its hottest start to March for 30 years, according to the Bureau of Metereology (BOM).
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With the mercury rising to 35.5 degrees on the first day of the month yesterday, and high temperatures forecast for both today (March 2) and Sunday (March 3), the conditions are likely to mean Ballarat has its hottest start to the month for 30 years.
Although this is a fairly exceptional string of heat, for the start of March it’s not uncommon to get temperatures in the high 30s until mid to late March.
- Forecaster, Bureau of Metereology
In 1989, the temperatures were above 30 degrees for the first eight days of the month, according to BOM spokesperson Rod Dickson, who said that 2016 was also had a hot start to March.
“Looking at the first three consecutive days, this will be the hottest since 1989.”
The pattern for this year is not likely to hit the same heights as 30 years ago, however, with a sharp dip in the temperature predicted for mid-week as a strong cold front hits the region on Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday the temperature will plummet to a high of 17 degrees, four degrees lower than the minimum temperature last night.
Temperatures in the 30s are not uncommon in March according to Mr Dickson.
“Looking back through the records, we’ve had temperatures in Ballarat above 35C right through the first half of March.
“Although this is a fairly exceptional string of heat, for the start of March it’s not uncommon to get temperatures in the high 30s until mid to late March.”
As for the longer term forecast, prepare for more hotter and drier conditions than usual. “Temperatures are expected to remain above average for autumn,” Mr Dickson said. “It’s likely to be dryer than average as well during the period.”
He said that today and tomorrow will be a challenge for fire agencies, with temperatures expected to reach 35 degrees today in Ballarat and 33 degrees tomorrow.
A total fire ban has been declared in the south-west fire district of Victoria, while the Central district where Ballarat, the fire danger rating is placed at very high.
Last year Ballarat’s weather was 1.3 degrees warmer for maximum temperatures compared to its long term average.
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