Crowds at St Kilda Beach on March 12. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: HeraldSun
IT'S been an icy start to Melbourne's summer but Christmas Day looks set to deliver warmer conditions.
Weatherzone told the Herald Sun today that the forecast for next Wednesday is mid to high 20s with the possibility of showers.
Weatherzone said there was still some uncertainty in the forecasting model nine days out.
The Bureau of Meteorology will have a forecast for Christmas Day on its website on Thursday.
Melbourne's had a scorcher year, with a historic nine-day heatwave and two months that are the hottest on record.
In February there were 14 days where the temperature reached 30C, equalling the previous record set in 1997.
They were spread across two four-day periods of heat and a six-day heatwave that started on February 13.
The heatwave reached a peak temperature of 36.7C on the last day.
A flooded track along the Yarra between the city and Swan St Bridge.
But if Melburnians thought the worst of it had passed, they were wrong.
In March, Melbourne was struck with another record-breaking heatwave.
From March 4 to March 12, Melbourne sweltered through nine consecutive days of maximum temperatures exceeding 32C.
The days got hotter as the heatwave seared into Labour Day Weekend and the temperature peaked at 36.2C on the final day.
It was the first time Melbourne had experienced nine days of 30C or higher temperature since records began in 1856.
The previous record was eight days, which was set between February 15 and February 22 in 1961.
Social media users in and around Melbourne posted images such as this one at the start of summer.
The hot season lingered longer than usual and Melbourne received a 35.6C day on March 27 - the latest 35C or higher day in more than 70 years.
But the cooler months have also experienced unusually high temperatures. July and September were the warmest on record for Melbourne.
The average maximum temperature in July was 15.9C and a record was set for the highest July temperature when it hit 23.2C on July 18.
September had the warmest average maximum and minimum temperatures on record at 20.1C and 11.2C.
Melbourne's winter got off to a thunderous start, with the wettest day of the year on June 1.
Viewbank recorded 87.4mm of rainfall.
The heavy rainfall was soon accompanied by flash floods that struck overnight on the second day of the month.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Terry Ryan told the Herald Sun at the time: "We are starting winter off with a rain band, which is our classic way to start the reason.
"It is just in time the farmers in the north, who have been needing the rain."
Four people were rescued from their vehicles after they were caught in floodwaters in Craigieburn, Epping, Spotswood and Lalor.
More than 300 calls for assistance were made from residents across Melbourne.
The northern and eastern suburbs copped the brunt of the storm, receiving 50-70mm of rain.
Darebin dad Campbell Bott, 40, said he was amazed to see the creek behind his house swell up to five times its normal size.
"It is normally a small creek, it is a little bit exciting," he said.
The rain continued for two weeks and set a record for the wettest first fortnight of winter.
On August 12 more than 10,000 Melbourne homes were left powerless after strong winds lashed the city, with gusts reaching 100km/h, causing fallen powerlines and trees.
Victoria was struck with strong winds again on August 16, cutting power off to 7000 homes.
Mount Hotham had the strongest winds across Victoria, with gusts reaching 141km/h.
The highs and lows of 2013
Hottest day in Melbourne so far: January 4 - 43C at Avalon Airport
Coldest day in Melbourne: July 20 - 8.4C at Laverton RAAF and Melbourne Airport
Hottest day in Victoria so far: January 5 - 45.7C at Yarrawonga
Coldest day in Victoria: August 19 - minus 5.2C at Mount Hotham
Coldest night in Victoria: September 13 - minus 8.1C at Mount Hotham
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