What time to leave the beach before scorching heat turns to wild winds

“You can sum Monday up as hot, dry and windy,” Trainor said.
He added people in much of the city would notice the sudden change and the gusty winds late in the day.
“We’re a bit concerned about some gusts getting up to 80 kilometres around the Bayside suburbs in Melbourne, and the small risk of 90 kilometre hour gusts with that change,” Trainor said.
“We’re going to see this amazing change in temperature but there’s still going to be some really significant gusts and wind conditions around.
“I think people are going to feel the heat. They’re going to feel relief, but then they’re going to go, ‘gee it’s windy’.”
Firefighters and meteorologists have deep concerns about the fire conditions, especially early in the morning where dry thunderstorms and lightning have the potential to ignite fires in the tinder dry western districts.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said if a fire starts on Monday, the conditions will make it tough to put out.
“Monday’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start,” Heffernan said.
Country Fire Authority chief Jason Heffernan.Credit: Nine News
“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the total fire ban declaration.
“Understand how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
Trainor said the west of the state faced a trying day.
“It’s what we call a spike day for fire danger,” Trainor said. “Those strong winds can really create havoc if a fire starts.
“Then as the front moves into western Victoria in the early afternoon, that will create a gusty south-westerly change, we could see some gusts, even up to 80 kms per hour, which, if there was a fire to start, would drive it in a new direction.”
Trainor will be keeping an eye on Melbourne’s Olympic Park weather station as it could see the first 40 degree January day since 2020, when it hit a high of 42.9 degrees on the 31st.
Life Saving Victoria also issued a warning for the Australia Day long weekend to take extra care when swimming at beaches and swim between the flags.
“Water safety is everyone’s responsibility, and I implore everyone to do what they can to stay safe in the water,” LSV chief executive Cath Greaves said.
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