Australia -- Victoria Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Feb 18/03 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Western Australia was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Warnings
A strong wind warning has been issued for coastal waters west of Cape Otway.
Weather Pattern
A strong high pressure system well south of the Bight with a ridge
northeastwards across eastern Victoria to the north Tasman Sea will move slowly
eastwards over the next few days. Much of inland Australia is covered by low
pressure.
Victoria
Wednesday: A fine day except for a little late rain developing in the far
northwest. Mild to warm with mainly moderate southeast to easterly wind
freshening near the coast later.
Fire danger: Moderate to high in the south, grading to high to very high in the
north.
UV Index: 11 [extreme] 
Thursday:  Patchy rain developing over much of the north and west and reaching
some southern areas by the evening. The chance of thunderstorms in the far
north.  Warm.
Friday:    Patchy rain contracting eastward. Scattered showers and isolated
thunderstorms to follow. Warm.
Saturday:  Isolated showers and thunderstorms, chiefly near the ranges. Warm.
Forecast for Melbourne
Wednesday
Fine. Morning cloud clearing to a mainly sunny afternoon.  Light to moderate
south to southeast wind, freshening with afternoon bayside sea breezes.         
Max 24
Thursday
Cloud increasing but mainly fine. A little rain possible by the evening.    Min
15    Max 29
Friday
A little rain at times.                     Min 18    Max 30
Saturday
A shower or two. Possible thunderstorms.    Min 19    Max 32
Trend for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
A few showers and thunderstorms possible. Warm to hot.
Forecast for Port Phillip and Western Port
Wednesday: Southeasterly wind at 10 to 15 knots then afternoon seabreezes
reaching 20 knots. Wind tending more easterly this evening at 15 to 20 knots.
Waves below 1 metre this morning, rising to 1 to 1.5 metres later in the
afternoon.
Thursday:  Easterly wind 10 to 15 knots in the north but reaching 20 to 25 knots
in the south.
Friday:    East to northeasterly wind 10 to 15 knots, reaching 25 knots in the
south at first. Afternoon seabreezes to 20 knots.
Saturday:  East to northeasterly wind 10 to 15 knots, reaching 20 knots in the
south. Afternoon seabreezes to 20 knots.
Headline Melbourne: Fine.  

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STAT News Service

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