Melbourne is bracing for a scorcher for the last day of 2010 with the temperature set to peak at 40 degrees in the late afternoon as Victoria prepares to party for New Year's Eve, AAP reports.
Meanwhile, potentially dangerous weather conditions have emergency services bracing for the worst in South Australia. Catastrophic fire warnings have been announced for the Mount Lofty Ranges, the Murraylands, Yorke Peninsula, Eastern Eyre Peninsula and the Upper and Lower South East, the ABC reports.
Temperatures in the southern half of the state could reach as high as 43c in some towns.
The good news for Victorians is that there will be a dramatic cool change about 9pm (AEDT) with the temperature plunging 15 degrees in an hour.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Richard Carlyon said there was a chance of thunder to accompany the change but no concerns of rain to dampen the celebrations.
"It's been a cool start to the day but the temperature will jump sharply and reach its peak around four or five o'clock," Mr Carlyon said.
There are severe and extreme fire danger warnings across most of western and central parts of the state, leading to total fire bans in those areas, which includes Melbourne.
Mr Carlyon said New Year's Day will be cooler, with a maximum of 27 degrees with possible early morning showers.
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