Though the Bureau of Meteorology has lowered the forecast from last week’s predicted 45℃ to 44℃, it still comes close to the previous record for the first month of summer since recording began in 1965, which was 44.9℃ on Friday, December 20, 2019.
A low-intensity heatwave warning was issued for Victoria from Saturday to Tuesday, though Saturday’s temperature only reached a high of 30.6℃ between 4.30pm and 5.30pm, falling to 14.4℃ at 6.04am on Sunday, before climbing to match Saturday’s top by 11.30am again that day.
Today’s predicted 44℃ is set to arrive at 5pm, before dropping gradually overnight to rise to a maximum of 30℃ at the same time tomorrow.
Today’s is an “Extreme” fire danger rating day and also forecast to bring winds and lightning later in the day.
The CFA urged people to avoid fires in open air and asked the public to call triple zero if they see a fire.
Shopping centres, libraries, neighbourhood and community houses and centres have been identified by Greater Shepparton City Council as places to provide some relief from the heat.
Excessive heat is especially dangerous for older adults, young children, people with chronic illnesses and the socioeconomically disadvantaged.
Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, pale skin, muscle cramps, rapid pulse, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting and fainting.
Goulburn Valley Health is preparing for heat-affected patients and cases of dehydration as part of its emergency preparedness plan for extreme conditions.
Its tips include keeping cool with airconditioning, fans and wetting skin, staying hydrated and checking in on family, friends and neighbours.
Veterinarian Brett Davis urged pet owners to keep pets inside airconditioned spaces, minimise activity and encourage hydration.
He said people should watch for signs of heat stress in their pets, including excessive panting, laboured breathing and extreme lethargy.
Children and pets are particularly vulnerable to heat if left in enclosed areas like parked cars, where temperatures can more than double within minutes.
Parked cars are often 20 to 30 degrees hotter than outside, which can be deadly for children, whose body temperatures rise much faster than adults.
Leaving the windows down has little effect on reducing the temperature, with tests showing the temperature will only reduce by five degrees if left open 10cm.
While Powercor networks are designed to cope with hot temperatures, extreme conditions increase the risk of power outages as the network operates in a more sensitive setting, according to the company.
The company suggests ensuring phones and other devices are fully charged ahead of extreme weather.
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