Alerts issued as hot weather to sweep Vic
Victorians will have a heatwave to bookend summer, with commuters told to brace for delays as the state sweats through a hot spell.
The Bureau of Meteorology says most of the state will experience hot days and stuffy overnight temperatures for the rest of the week.
"That heat will be with us for the next few days and it isn't moving at all," senior forecaster Richard Carlyon said on Thursday.
Strong winds are also due to sweep the state's southwest on Friday and Saturday as temperatures nudge 40C.
There's also a chance of dry storms in southern parts of the state during the hot spell, increasing the fire risk.
"The fuel is still obviously very dry, and with little to no rainfall around to assist in putting fires out, there is certainly the higher risk of new fires starting," Mr Carlyon said.
The Chief Health Officer has issued a heat health alert for the central district for Thursday to Saturday.
An alert has also been issued for the southwest district on Friday and the north central district is approaching the threshold for its own warning.
"Extreme heat can affect anyone. Pregnant women, people with a pre-existing medical condition, people aged over 65 and children and babies are most at risk," the warning said.
Fire danger ratings are mostly high and very high for Thursday and Friday and are likely to increase to severe in some areas on Saturday.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp warned that while there had been mild temperatures this summer, there was little rain and the state was extremely dry.
"With temperatures peaking to 40 degrees in parts of the state on Saturday, people should prepare and keep up to date with their local weather conditions and plan essential activities for the coolest part of the day," Mr Crisp said.
Australian Associated Press