A total fire ban has been declared for one district in Victoria, while damaging winds will hit other parts of the state.
Parts of Victoria are set to experience their first swelter of the season as Melbourne prepares for a welcome afternoon of sunshine.
A total fire ban has been declared for the Mallee district, while a severe weather warning for damaging winds has been issued for other parts of Victoria.
While Melbourne is set to reach a pleasant top of 25C on Thursday, Victoria’s northwestern Mallee district is expected to swelter through temperatures in the low to mid-30s.
The Country Fire Authority has advised no fire can be lit in the open air or be allowed to remain alight for the duration of the day.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Michael Laczko said Victorians in affected regions should be on watch for gusty conditions.
“For fire dangers, because of the fairly warm and dry air, we’ve got severe fire dangers forecast for the Mallee district and very high fire dangers for the Wimmera district,” he said.
“In the Alpine areas, we’re prepared to see gusts of up to 90km/h during the afternoon and evening.”
The weather bureau has also forecast damaging winds across Central Victoria and parts of Gippsland, with peak gusts expected to reach 90km/h in some areas.
Strong, gusty winds are expected to develop around noon in western and central areas before sweeping through the state’s east on Thursday evening.
Locations that could be hardest hit include Ararat, Kyneton, Ballarat, Daylesford and Falls Creek.
Originally published as First swelter of spring in Victoria as Melbourne climbs to 25C
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