Warm spring temperatures are forecast this weekend for both the AFL and NRL grand finals in Melbourne and Sydney, with the forecast expected to register among the top five warmest AFL grand finals ever and the NRL could see its warmest on record.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said that Melbourne can expect warm and sunny conditions for the AFL Grand Final.
“We’re expecting clear skies this Saturday, with a maximum temperature into the high 20s for the opening bounce,” he said.
“We could see a few patches of cloud throughout the afternoon, but conditions are expected to be mostly bright and sunny.
“The clear conditions are due to a high-pressure system across Victoria this week, with winds turning north to north-westerly on Saturday and bringing the warmer weather.
“While not as warm, temperatures will be reaching the mid-20s tomorrow afternoon, and clear skies are forecast for the grand final parade and Victorian public holiday.”
Under the current forecast, this would be just the fifth AFL Grand Final played in Melbourne on a day reaching 26C or warmer:
31.3C in 2015 (West Coast v Hawthorn)
30.7C in 1987 (Carlton v Hawthorn)
29.8C in 1944 (Fitzroy v Richmond)
26.4C in 1919 (Collingwood v Richmond)
Conditions are expected to be considerably warmer than the last time Brisbane and Collingwood met in back-to-back grand finals in 2002 and 2003:
2002: Min. 9.7C, Max. 11.9C. Cold with showers, fresh winds and localised hail after the game
2003: Min. 5.9C, Max. 13.7C. Cold with showers and a few sunny breaks
This long weekend, stay up to date with game-day weather, latest forecasts and warnings by visiting bom.gov.au or the BOM Weather app.
