Storms, dangerous air quality may threaten play at Australian Open
By
Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Jan 17, 2020 6:39 PM EDT
The weather has already proven disruptive for the Australian Open with poor air quality and wet weather plaguing the region. The annual tennis tournament kicked off on Monday, Jan. 20, and continues into the beginning of February.
The first official day of tournament play was unsettled as a storm passed through southeastern Australia, bringing periods of showers and thunderstorms.
The wet weather caused several matches to be rescheduled.
Mainly dry conditions will return on Tuesday for the second day of play. Outside of a stray shower or two, much drier conditions are expected as the storm moves away. High temperature on Tuesday will climb to around 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit).
Dry conditions will continue into Wednesday, while a north to northeasterly wind will help temperatures to climb to 32 C (89 F). The normal temperature for the middle of January is 26 degrees Celsius (around 78 degrees Fahrenheit).
A storm system passing by to the south of Australia during the second half of the week can bring isolated showers to the Melbourne area on Thursday. Temperatures will also be knocked down a few degrees.
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Dry weather is forecast to return through the end of the week and into the weekend to wrap up the first week of the tournament.
Whether or not it will rain will not be the only forecast closely scrutinized for the tournament. Air quality will also determine if games will be postponed or moved indoors.
Controversy rose this past week as qualifiers began amid smoky conditions in Melbourne. Matches were postponed and several athletes shared concerns over the safety of the conditions.
"The more I think about the conditions we played in a few days ago, the more it boils my blood," British player Liam Brody posted on Twitter. "We can't let this slide. The email we received yesterday from the ATP and AO was a slap in the face, conditions were 'playable'. Were they 'healthy'?"
Rain arrived later in the day last Wednesday, improving the air quality as well as aiding in the containment of fires across the state.
Air quality may again deteriorate this week as winds turn out of the northeast late Tuesday and into Wednesday. This could pull smoke into the area from the "megafire" in the eastern part of Victoria, and air quality may deteriorate throughout the day.
If this occurs, it will likely be short-lived as a storm system is expected to sweep through the region on Thursday, whisking any poor air quality away from the region.
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News / Sports
Storms, dangerous air quality may threaten play at Australian Open
By Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Jan 17, 2020 6:39 PM EDT
The weather has already proven disruptive for the Australian Open with poor air quality and wet weather plaguing the region. The annual tennis tournament kicked off on Monday, Jan. 20, and continues into the beginning of February.
The first official day of tournament play was unsettled as a storm passed through southeastern Australia, bringing periods of showers and thunderstorms.
The wet weather caused several matches to be rescheduled.
Mainly dry conditions will return on Tuesday for the second day of play. Outside of a stray shower or two, much drier conditions are expected as the storm moves away. High temperature on Tuesday will climb to around 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit).
Dry conditions will continue into Wednesday, while a north to northeasterly wind will help temperatures to climb to 32 C (89 F). The normal temperature for the middle of January is 26 degrees Celsius (around 78 degrees Fahrenheit).
A storm system passing by to the south of Australia during the second half of the week can bring isolated showers to the Melbourne area on Thursday. Temperatures will also be knocked down a few degrees.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Dry weather is forecast to return through the end of the week and into the weekend to wrap up the first week of the tournament.
Whether or not it will rain will not be the only forecast closely scrutinized for the tournament. Air quality will also determine if games will be postponed or moved indoors.
Controversy rose this past week as qualifiers began amid smoky conditions in Melbourne. Matches were postponed and several athletes shared concerns over the safety of the conditions.
"The more I think about the conditions we played in a few days ago, the more it boils my blood," British player Liam Brody posted on Twitter. "We can't let this slide. The email we received yesterday from the ATP and AO was a slap in the face, conditions were 'playable'. Were they 'healthy'?"
Rain arrived later in the day last Wednesday, improving the air quality as well as aiding in the containment of fires across the state.
Air quality may again deteriorate this week as winds turn out of the northeast late Tuesday and into Wednesday. This could pull smoke into the area from the "megafire" in the eastern part of Victoria, and air quality may deteriorate throughout the day.
If this occurs, it will likely be short-lived as a storm system is expected to sweep through the region on Thursday, whisking any poor air quality away from the region.
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