Melbourne's Summer of Extremes: From Bathers to Jumpers
Melbourne's summer is a rollercoaster, and 2025 is no exception. As the year draws to a close, the city is experiencing a dramatic temperature swing, with hot days giving way to a cold New Year's Eve.
On Monday, Port Phillip Bay was bustling with swimmers as Melbourne hit a sweltering 33 degrees Celsius. But the next day, the city will bid farewell to beach-goers for the year, with temperatures predicted to drop to a mild 29 degrees Celsius. The real chill will set in on Wednesday, when Melbourne is expected to reach a maximum of just 19 degrees Celsius, with lows dropping to 13 degrees Celsius.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Daniel Sherwin-Simpson notes that the CBD will see slightly warmer temperatures, with a minimum of 14 degrees Celsius at midnight. However, the Mornington Peninsula and Geelong are forecast to be even cooler, with temperatures potentially dropping to 11 degrees Celsius at the stroke of midnight.
Despite the chilly forecast, Sherwin-Simpson reassures that Melbourne will remain mild in the evening, with winds likely in the 20-30 km/h range. He advises, "If you're heading into the city, it's still a good idea to bring a jumper."
Cloud cover on New Year's Eve is expected to enhance the fireworks display, and New Year's Day is predicted to be mild across the state, with temperatures only slightly below average at 24 degrees Celsius. Sherwin-Simpson explains, "It's a bit of a seesaw; we had a hot day today, so New Year's Eve will be a bit cooler than average."
Victorians in the Mallee and Northern Country districts can expect overnight temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius on New Year's Eve. The Country Fire Authority has declared a total fire ban for the Northern Country, warning of dangerous fire conditions due to gusting winds of up to 80 km/h.
Chief Officer Jason Heffernan urges locals to adhere to the ban and prepare bushfire survival plans. He states, "The landscape is very dry, so even with cooler temperatures, a fire could quickly get out of control."
Despite the temperature extremes, Melbourne's summer temperatures so far have been average. Over 500,000 people are expected to celebrate New Year's Eve in the city's CBD, where 500 police officers will be deployed to ensure safety. This month marks the sixth time Melbourne has surpassed 30 degrees Celsius, with three consecutive days above 30 degrees between December 17 and 19, culminating in the hottest day of the month at 38 degrees Celsius on December 18.
