Victoria

Melbourne weather: Why spring has been so windy

If you struggled to stay in control of your umbrella last month or felt like you were being belted over the face with your own hair, chances are you weren't alone. 

Spring always triggers strong winds in Melbourne, but this October felt particularly blustery.

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Science behind Melbourne's crazy spring weather

The reasons why spring weather in the southern part of Australia is so volatile. Graphics courtesy Bureau of Meteorology.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued no less than 50 severe weather warnings last month.

Meanwhile, Sunday saw the seventh major storm event for Victoria in just a few weeks after strong winds returned with a vengeance following a brief stint of sunshine. 

A man shields his face as wind blows sand up from St Kilda beach on Sunday.
A man shields his face as wind blows sand up from St Kilda beach on Sunday. Photo: Darrian Traynor

So what's the reason behind all this wind, and is it going to abate?

Senior climatologist Kevin Smith said all this gusty weather comes down to several factors - a perfect storm, if you will. 

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October saw several storm fronts sweep through

Mr Smith said there were seven major storm events across Victoria during October. 

"We normally average about three," he said. 

An umbrella was an essential accessory on Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.
An umbrella was an essential accessory on Tuesday's Melbourne Cup. Photo: Quinn Rooney

When there is a major storm event, air from the ocean - which is often cooler - gets swept over land, where it can heat up more rapidly. 

This in turn creates strong wind gusts between the high and low pressure systems. 

And with seven major storm events in the span of a few weeks it's no wonder the blustery weather has left a trail of destruction

Spring is generally a windy period at the best of times

Mr Smith points out that spring is generally Melbourne's windiest time of year. 

This is because the weather is caught in a tug-of-war between the coldest and warmest months, resulting in extremes.

"It's that period between winter and summer," he said. 

"But this has been our windiest October since 2009. So it's certainly been a bit windier than normal [in Victoria]. Spring in itself is a naturally variable period because you transition from winter to summer.

"So you are going to get extremes." 

The lndian Ocean Dipole is wreaking havoc on Victoria's weather

The Indian Ocean Dipole - the name for the irregular ocean temperatures that affect Victoria's weather - is also to blame. 

Australia is currently feeling the affects of the strongest negative Indian Ocean Dipole in 50, maybe 100 years. 

This is also why spring has felt like winter. 

"All these things are affecting us," Mr Smith said. 

"Everything is happening at once."

But there is some good news on the horizon, with Victoria's wild winds set to settle as soon as the mercury starts to climb. 

"We'll be back to more normal conditions soon, and January rainfall will be more average," he said.

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