AFL Grand Final day calls for ponchos in Melbourne as Sydney heats up
Australians are waking up to a weekend of wildly different weather, with footy fans bracing for a cold and soggy AFL Grand Final while temperatures climb elsewhere.
Melbourne is forecast to reach just 15 degrees on Saturday, with rain expected during the morning and afternoon, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Melbourne is forecast to reach just 15 degrees on Saturday, with rain expected during the morning and afternoon. Justin McManus
Parts of Sydney are heading into the high twenties and low 30s, before temperatures plunge on Sunday.
A cold and soggy Grand Final
Anyone heading to the MCG will want a jacket and something waterproof, as cold air from the Southern Ocean brings a wet, chilly Saturday to southern Victoria.
It’s a big turnaround from what forecasters initially expected earlier in the week.
The Bureau said the colder air is now reaching further north than first forecast, putting Melbourne on the chilly side of a major temperature divide across the state.
While Melbourne struggles to top 15, parts of northern Victoria could still climb into the high 20s.
Melbourne rain radar at 6.30am, September 26. The Bureau of Meteorology
Sydney’s heat won’t last
Sydney will have almost the opposite Saturday, with parts of the city heading for the high twenties.
Sydney Olympic Park is forecast to reach 34 degrees, with a sunny morning before a slight chance of a late shower and possible thunderstorm in the city’s outer west, according to the Bureau.
But anyone making Sunday plans should expect a very different day.
A cooler change is due on Saturday evening, with temperatures forecast to reach just 18 degrees on Sunday alongside showers and a possible thunderstorm.
Canberra is also in for a warm Saturday, with temperatures maxing out at 27 before falling to just 14 degrees on Sunday, with showers likely.
Parts of Sydney are heading into the low to mid-30s on Saturday. Supplied
Brollies out in Adelaide and Hobart
The wintry feel will extend across much of southern Australia, with Adelaide forecast to reach about 19 degrees on Saturday and showers possible.
Hobart will be even colder, reaching only around 12 degrees, with showers on the cards.
The rain will be welcome in both Melbourne and Adelaide after a dry September.
Weatherzone reported Melbourne had received just 14.2mm of rain this month at the time of its outlook, compared with a long-term September average of 56.8mm.
Adelaide had recorded 13.2mm against a monthly average of 50.3mm.
Brisbane escapes the worst of it
The good weather continues in Brisbane, with Saturday reaching a high of 25 degrees.
Morning showers are possible before conditions clear, while Sunday is expected to be sunny and warmer at around 28 degrees.
For Freo fans, Perth is in for a cooler Saturday, with a high of about 18 degrees, showers, and a possible thunderstorm.
Darwin stays hot
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s across the weekend in Darwin.
Saturday is forecast to be mostly sunny with only a slight chance of rain, before the possibility of a shower increases on Sunday.
For much of south-eastern Australia, Sunday will bring cooler conditions before temperatures begin climbing again early next week.
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