Hot weather is expected for outdoor play at the Australian Open on Friday. Hightemperatures will soar well into the 90s.Meanwhile, powerful Cyclone Magda will hit the northern coast of Australia onthe Timor Sea Coast with winds well over 100 mph.
Fortunately, the cyclone will affect a sparsely populated area. However, thispart of Australia has a large mining operation. Mines could be flooded by thecyclone. Also, shipping and transportation around the mines will be affected.
January marks the height of summer "down under." For Melbourne, this can meansharp day-to-day shifts in weather and temperature having consequences foroutdoor tennis play at the Open.
The normal daily temperature extremes during the Open include a high of 78F, or25.6C, and a low of 57F, or 13.9C. However, averages do not begin to tell thewhole story.
On one hand, daytime temperatures can top 110F, or 43C, easily hot enough toaffect play dramatically. This happens when desert heat from the heart ofAustralia sweeps southward ahead of cold fronts. Gusty winds and dust canaccompany these hot blasts, which normally have very low humidity.
At the same time, Melbourne's proximity to the South Ocean, always a cold bodyof water, means that cool winds are common. When such southerly winds coincidewith rain, it can feel downright chilly with daytime readings not far from 59F,or 15C.
While not a wet climate during summer, Melbourne does get measurable rain onabout one day in three during mid-January. Occasionally, there is thunder andlightning.
While the primary facility boasts a retractable roof and thus allows forall-weather play, many matches are held on open-air courts subject tocancelation due to rain or heat. For example, play during Jan. 28-30, 2009, wasaffected by the heat as temperatures soared above 110F, or 43C.
