23/08/2011: Melbourne has escaped the grip of winter a month early this year, with average temperatures this August being more typical of what is usually experienced in September, according to weatherzone.com.au.

"So far this month, Melbourne's maximum temperature has been averaging 17.1 degrees, which is more than 2 above usual for August and just 0.1 degree shy of the September average,” said chief meteorologist at Weatherzone, Alex Zadnik.

“Minimum temperatures have been a whopping 2.5 degrees higher than usual this August, averaging 9.2 so far. This is also more than 1 degree above the September average of 8.0," continued Mr Zadnik.

When looking at combined minimum and maximum temperatures this month, we are on track to have our warmest August in 150 years of records. The combined average at the moment is just shy of 13.2 degrees, putting us ahead of the 13.1-degree record set in 2007.

“The warmth this August has been due to large and slow moving high pressure systems over the Tasman Sea. These ‘blocking highs’ maintain warm northerly winds across Victoria for days on end and also help to reduce the strength of cold fronts approaching from the west,” said Mr Zadnik.

Warm and sunny weather will continue through today and Wednesday, with maximum temperatures edging over 20 degrees on both days. Thursday should be even warmer, although cloud and wind will increase through the day ahead of a cold front, which is due late afternoon or evening. The cold front may trigger a shower or two over Melbourne on Thursday evening and it will also bring a cooler wind change at night.

“Despite this cooler change, maximum temperatures are not expected to fall below average on Friday or on the weekend, keeping us in the hunt for a new August record,” concluded Mr Zadnik.

Media Inquiries:

Alex Zadnik
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9269

About Weatherzone:

Weatherzone is Australia's most popular commercial meteorological resource, supplying weather information to most of Australia's major television broadcasters and websites. www.weatherzone.com.au has been developed by a team of world class meteorologists and features user friendly, up-to-the minute access to weather across the country.

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