Wondering whether the weather will be a gift or a punish this Christmas?
Western Australia claimed the title of the hottest place on Earth this Christmas Day, with a corner of the state shattering a 120-year-old temperature record. Tens of thousands of West Australians sought refuge at the beaches on Thursday, as Perth’s temperatures soared to a blistering 42.1°C.
While Perth itself did not surpass its previous Christmas Day record of 42.8°C set in 2021, the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that several towns across the state made temperature history. According to meteorologist Sarah Scully, “Cape Leeuwin reached a high of 39.6°C on Christmas Day — breaking a 120-year record for the highest maximum temperature in December.”
Record-Breaking Heat Across WA
In addition to Cape Leeuwin, Windy Harbour also broke a 39-year record for the highest December maximum, with temperatures reaching 38°C. The extreme heat led to Western Australia being recognized as the hottest place on Earth, with the 15 hottest towns globally all located within the state.
Geraldton emerged as the hottest town on Earth this Christmas, as the Mid West city reached a scorching 44°C. Other towns such as Roebourne, Bullsbrook, Lancelin, and Marble Bar followed closely, with temperatures ranging from 41.8°C to 42.4°C. Additional locations like Telfer, Gingin, Kariini, and Cunderdin also featured on the global list, with temperatures nearing 41°C.
Contrasting Weather Across Australia
While Western Australia sweltered under the intense heat, weather conditions varied significantly across the rest of the nation. Residents of Mount Wellington near Hobart, Tasmania, experienced a rare white Christmas, with snow covering the region. Meanwhile, most mainland capital cities enjoyed mild weather, with temperatures ranging from the mid-twenties to early thirties. Melbourne, however, faced a cooler day with a maximum of just 17°C.
Relief on the Horizon
For those in Western Australia weary of the oppressive heat, relief is on the way. From Boxing Day onwards, temperatures are expected to drop to the high 20s for the remainder of the week, providing much-needed respite.
Perth Weather Forecast
- Friday: 13°C – 25°C, Possible showers 🌦️
- Saturday: 13°C – 24°C, Mostly Sunny 🌤️
- Sunday: 15°C – 29°C, Sunny ☀️
- Monday: 16°C – 32°C, Sunny ☀️
- Tuesday: 16°C – 32°C, Sunny ☀️
This development follows a trend of increasingly extreme weather patterns across the globe, raising concerns about climate change and its impact on local and global scales. Experts warn that such temperature extremes could become more frequent if global warming continues unabated.
As Western Australia navigates this unprecedented heatwave, the focus shifts to understanding and mitigating the long-term impacts of climate change. The state, along with the rest of the world, faces the challenge of adapting to these changing weather patterns and implementing sustainable solutions to curb future temperature rises.
