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 all Victorian coastal waters, for Port
Phillip and Western Port, and for the Gippsland Lakes.
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
Tonight and Thursday: Rain areas developing in the northwest, with some patchy
rain gradually extending to remaining northern and western districts. Smoke haze
areas in the east. A mild to warm day. Chiefly light to moderate southeasterly
wind tending northeast to southerly and becoming fresh to strong along the
coast.
Fire Danger: Generally high to very high. 
UV Index: 11 [extreme] decreasing to 4 [moderate] under thick cloud.
Friday:    Rain areas contracting eastward. Scattered showers and isolated
thunderstorms to follow. Mild to warm. Humid.
Saturday:  Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Warm. Humid.
Sunday:    Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Warm. Humid.
Forecast for Melbourne
Tonight and Thursday
Cloud increasing but remaining fine. Fresh afternoon and evening seabreezes.
Light to moderate northeasterly wind during the morning.
Min 15    Max 29
Friday
A little rain at times.                     Min 18    Max 30
Saturday
Late shower or two and possible thunderstorm.    Min 19    Max 32
Sunday
Late shower or two and possible thunderstorm.    Min 18    Max 32
Trend for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Mild to warm and humid. Generally fine. 
Forecast for Port Phillip and Western Port
Tonight and Thursday: Seabreezes of 20 knots this evening. Wind tending east to
northeasterly overnight at 10 knots in the north and 15 to 20 knots in the
south.  Southeasterly wind of 20 to 25 knots developing Thursday afternoon and
evening. Waves 1 to 1.5 metres, but only half a metre in the north overnight and
morning. A strong wind warning has been issued.
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.
Sunday:    Northeasterly wind 15 knots. Afternoon seabreezes of 15 knots.
Headline Melbourne: Fine.  
Headline Victoria:  Patchy rain developing mainly in the northwest. Mild to

---

STAT News Service

The subscriber version of the article is available by Clicking here