Expect heat all week

Bass Strait winds blanket region in thick, low fog

A BLANKET of thick, lowlying fog descended on Geelong and the Surf Coast early yesterday morning.

The murk, which had some stretches of the coast at almost zero visibility, cleared by midmorning, making way for a hot day with a top of 33 degrees recorded in Geelong.

The heat and humidity caused the region’s midweek pennant lawn bowls to be cancelled.

Firefighters also remain on high alert with high-risk conditions across the region.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said the fog was caused by easterly winds moving across Bass Strait, which brought moisture across coastal Victoria. He said light winds through Melbourne and Geelong had allowed a significant amount of fog to develop over Port Phillip Bay.

Light to mid-winds in the afternoon brought on cooler conditions, but forecasters warned the weather is expected to remain warm today — with a top of 25C predicted for Geelong.

CFA rostered duty officer Steve Alcock said firefighters were bracing for extreme conditions with parts of the region extremely dry.

“The coast fringe is a little bit cooler — but just out of Geelong we are experiencing the same extreme conditions,” Mr Alcock said.

“Little River right around to Winchelsea, we are experiencing the same dryness and weather conditions.”

Mr Alcock said local volunteer brigades were on standby on high fire danger days while extra teams were deployed in the field to observe the region.

He said residents should refrain from mowing and slashing on high fire danger days.

“On total fire ban days there are no fires in the open air, no welding unless relevant permits have been issued,” Mr Alcock said. “Before people go doing anything — if they are in doubt they should contact the CFA and ask the question.

“The CFA website gives a comprehensive list.”

Firefighters were called to a small fire at Birregurra just after midday when a transformer caught on fire and sparked a small grass blaze.

The fire was extinguished within 15 minutes with duties then handed over to Powercor.

The weather is expected to remain warm for the rest of the week with a top of 34C expected for tomorrow and a maximum of 30C predicted for Friday.