Melbourne to swelter through longest November heatwave in 150 years

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Melbourne to swelter through longest November heatwave in 150 years

By Melissa Cunningham
Updated

Melbourne's spring weather has sent records tumbling, with forecasters predicting the longest November heatwave in more than 150 years.

The city has sweltered through its first taste of summer early this year, and if temperatures stay as high as predicted, it will be Melbourne's first seven-day spell of temperatures higher than 28 degrees in November since official records began in 1862.

Melbourne is halfway though its hot streak, and unless you plan on being poolside for the rest of the week, there's not much relief in sight.

The mercury hit 34 degrees on Tuesday and Melburnians are expected to toss and turn through another sticky night with the temperature not expected to drop below 22 degrees.

People enjoy hot weather at St Kilda beach in November this year.

People enjoy hot weather at St Kilda beach in November this year. Credit: Joe Armao

Temperatures are expected to soar again on Wednesday, with a top of 32 degrees predicted and an overnight low of 21 degrees.

It will be a hot and sticky 32 degrees again on Thursday, before the mercury hits 33 on Friday before a prediction of rain and some relief.

Bureau of Metrology senior climatologist Dr Blair Trewin said the length of the pre-summer swelter was "unprecedented" for this time of the year.

The bureau predicts the weather won't drop below 15 degrees until early next week.

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People enjoy hot weather at St Kilda beach in November this year.

People enjoy hot weather at St Kilda beach in November this year. Credit: Joe Armao, Fairfax Media.

"It's a very extended warm spell, normally in spring we do get the odd hot day, but what we are seeing right now is the type of warm spell which is more typical of late summer and early autumn," he said.

"It's unprecedented for this time of the year. Melbourne has now had eight nights in a row above 15 degrees and it looks like those conditions will continue at least until the weekend."

St Kilda at sunset.

St Kilda at sunset.Credit: Leigh Henningham

Dr Trewin said the bureau predicted the warm spell could last for at least 13 nights in a row, setting a new record.

"We've never previously had more than nine nights in a row with temperatures above 15 in November... never previously at any time of the year have we had [those kinds of temperatures] before before January," he said.

So, what is causing heatwave forecast and record breaking temperatures?

"We've seen a very persistent high pressure system over the Tasman Sea and New Zealand," Dr Trewin explained.

"When that happens the weather pattern seems to get stuck in a single mode. It brings with it rather warm air because it originated over Tasman Sea or the south Pacific so there is always a bit moisture in that air makes it quite humid."

Dr Trewin said the only other time there had been such a significant heatwave in November was in 2009 when the city experienced temperatures of 32 degrees or more for five days.

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