By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
January 14, 2019, 10:00:02 AM EST
Blistering heat will hold for one more day at the Australian Open before a shift toward cooler weather takes hold later this week.
Temperatures soared to around 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) in Melbourne on Monday, and another day of intense heat is forecast for Tuesday.
Temperatures will climb quickly through the midday hours before a sea breeze arrives and halts temperatures around 35 C (95 F) at Melbourne Park by the early afternoon.
Spectators cool themselves down with a water mist fan during play on day one at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
Locations farther inland will once again contend with temperatures near 38 C (100 F) during the afternoon.
Players and fans will have to ensure they are staying properly hydrated amid the intense heat. Wearing light clothing and taking breaks out of the scorching sun are other ways to avoid suffering from a heat-related illness.
Sunscreen will also be a necessity on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The intense heat of Monday and Tuesday will diminish by Wednesday, with a high temperature of 31 C (87 F) expected.
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The concern will shift to the risk for showers and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday. While prolonged stormy weather is not expected either day, brief delays are possible, especially during the afternoon hours.
The coolest weather of the tournament is possible this weekend as high temperatures are forecast to only reach 22 C (72 F) on Saturday and 25-26 C (77-78 F) on Sunday.
Heat may come surging back during the middle of the following week.
"It is unclear whether the heat at that time will be intense enough to impact play, but it certainly looks uncomfortable for players and spectators that are out," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said.
Officials at the Australian Open have taken steps to ensure player safety following calls from players to review the tournament's extreme heat policy.
A new policy has been introduced this year that takes into account the newly developed Australian Open Heat Stress Scale (AO HSS).
A more extensive Extreme Heat Policy (EHP) based around the AO Heat Stress Scale (AO HSS) will be introduced at #AusOpen 2019.: bit.ly/AOHeatPolicy
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The AO HSS has five levels that are calculated based on air temperature, strength of the sun, humidity and wind speed, according to the tournament’s official web site. Such factors are similar in determining the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature.
The higher the RealFeel® Temperature and level on the AO HSS, the harder it is for a player’s body to cool itself.
The AO HSS also accounts for the “physiological variances between adults, wheelchair and junior athletes,” the statement read.
Organizers of the Australian Open did not provide precise temperatures or conditions that equate to the different levels on the AO HSS, but the readings will be measured in real time at five different locations across Melbourne Park.
Players will be given extended breaks when a 4.0 is registered on the AO HSS prior to or during a select number of sets, based on which group is playing. The tournament referee can suspend play on outside courts and decide to close the roofs on the major courts when a level 5.0 is recorded.
The finale of the tournament, however, should feature dramatically different weather than its start.
"The heat should wane in time for the final weekend of play (Jan. 26-27), with temperatures back to around normal," Nicholls added.
Download the free AccuWeather app to find out more detailed information on the weather anticipated for the 2019 Australian Open.
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