Central Victoria is in for more hot days before a cooler spell arrives towards the end of the week.
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But the region is not likely to see blistering temperatures like those experienced during last week’s record-breaking heatwave.
Bendigo sweltered through its hottest day last Friday, with the temperature soaring to a top of 45.9 degrees.
The previous record was set on Black Saturday – February 7, 2009 – when the city reached a maximum of 45.4 degrees.
Echuca and Castlemaine also experienced record-breaking maximums on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology figures show.
Castlemaine hit 45 degrees on Friday. The previous hottest temperature the town experienced was 43.9 degrees.
Meanwhile, Echuca reached a top of 46.9 degrees, beating the previous record by 0.1 of a degree.
A top of 35 degrees is forecast for Bendigo and Echuca on Monday, while Maryborough and Redesdale look set to reach 34 degrees, Castlemaine 33, and Kyneton 32.
On Tuesday, Bendigo can expect to hit a daytime temperature of 37 degrees.
Elsewhere, Redesdale is forecast to reach 38 degrees, Castlemaine 36 degrees, Maryborough and Echuca 37 degrees, and Kyneton 34 degrees.
Temperatures in the mid to high-30s are also forecast across the region on Wednesday, although there is a possibility of showers and thunderstorms.
But maximum temperatures will fall by more than 10 degrees between Wednesday and Thursday in some parts.
On Thursday, Bendigo and Redesdale are forecast to hit a top of 26 degrees, Echuca 29 degrees, and Maryborough, Castlemaine and Kyneton 23 degrees.
But daytime temperatures are likely to rise back into the high 30s and low 40s again over the weekend.
Bendigo has already seen eight days above 40 degrees this month, three of those in a row.
Last year, there were just three days in January that exceeded 40 degrees.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s climate outlook for January to March suggests the first three months of the year are likely to be hotter than average.
The outlook shows the chance of Bendigo’s average maximum temperature from January to March exceeding the long-term median is 81 per cent.
The average overnight temperature is also likely to be warmer than the long-term median over the three months.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
