Overview
There's still a fair bit of November remaining, but Melbourne is getting a sneak peek of summer with a seriously scorching day on the cards on today, Thursday, November 21.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria is set to swelter through one of the hottest November days ever, with most of the state forecast to hit at least ten degrees above the average temperature for this last month of spring.
Melbourne is tipped to hit a whopping 39 degrees — 17 degrees above average — with extreme UV levels and gusty winds, before a cool change swings through later this afternoon. Temperatures are expected to stay in the low 20s across the weekend before a forecast 30 degrees on Monday, November 25.
If the mercury creeps above 40.3 degrees today, it'll be the hottest November day in Melbourne since 1997. If rises above 40.9, it'll be the hottest November day on record, with the current record set on November 27, 1894.
With today's hot weather, comes very high to extreme levels of fire danger across parts of Victoria. A total fire ban has been declared for the state and a Code Red (the highest bushfire warning level) announced for Mallee and Northern County. More than 200 schools and early childhood centres are closed today and some V/Line routes suspended.
You can keep an eye on the fires burning across the state at Vic Emergency. For more tips on staying safe during bushfires, head to the Country Fire Authority website.