As Australia braces for Christmas Day, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has unveiled its official forecast, revealing a nation divided by weather extremes. While some regions will bask in sunshine and heat, others will experience cooler temperatures, cloudy skies, and the possibility of rain.
With less than a week remaining until the festive holiday, Australians are making final preparations amid an ongoing severe heatwave affecting much of the southern part of the country. The BoM’s forecast offers a glimpse into what residents can expect as they celebrate the season.
Queensland and New South Wales: A Mix of Heat and Humidity
Queensland is set to experience warm, humid, and cloudy conditions, with some areas in the northern and central parts anticipating moderate rainfall and potential thunderstorms. Brisbane is expected to reach a high of 33°C.
In New South Wales, most regions will enjoy dry and sunny weather on Christmas Day. However, coastal showers are predicted along the east coast, though they are not expected to bring significant rainfall. BoM senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury noted, “There won’t be too much rainfall in them, generally 5mm or less.”
Sydney is forecast to reach a comfortable 25°C, while Canberra will see a top temperature of 29°C. There is a chance of thunderstorms in the northeast, but they are not expected to be severe.
Victoria and Tasmania: Cooler Climes
Victoria is in for a generally cool to mild Christmas Day, with isolated showers that are unlikely to produce much rainfall. Temperatures south of the ranges will reach the high teens, with Melbourne forecasted for a top of 19°C. North of the ranges, temperatures will be slightly warmer, ranging from the mid to high 20s.
Meanwhile, Tasmania will experience a cooler day, with scattered showers and the possibility of snow on higher peaks around 1,000 meters. Western parts of Tasmania will see temperatures in the mid-teens, with Hobart expected to reach 17°C.
Western Australia and the Northern Territory: Scorching Heat
Western Australia is preparing for a very warm Christmas, with temperatures soaring into the high 30s to low 40s across the western parts of the state and the interior. Perth is forecast to hit 39°C.
The Northern Territory will also see warm, humid, and cloudy conditions, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s across central and northern regions, including Darwin, which is set for a high of 32°C.
Heatwave Warnings and Safety Concerns
Christmas celebrations will occur against the backdrop of an extreme and severe heatwave that began on Thursday and is expected to persist into Sunday. The BoM has issued warnings for New South Wales’ mid-north coast, the Illawarra, south coast, and Snowy Mountains, where temperatures could reach the high 30s to low 40s.
An area stretching from eastern Victoria up to Brisbane is under a severe heatwave warning through the weekend. The BoM advises that cooler temperatures are anticipated to gradually develop from the south, with heatwave conditions expected to peak at the end of the week and ease later over the weekend.
“Cooler temperatures are expected to gradually develop from the south with heatwave conditions in these areas expected to peak at the end of this week and then begin to ease later over the weekend,” the BoM said in an advisory note.
The NRMA has issued a safety warning to parents, highlighting the dangers of leaving children in parked cars during hot weather. “Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can become dangerous very quickly, placing children at immediate risk of heatstroke, dehydration and, in extreme cases, death,” the organization stated. Encouragingly, calls to rescue children and pets locked in cars have steadily decreased over recent years.
As Australians prepare for Christmas under these varied weather conditions, the focus remains on safety and staying informed. The BoM continues to monitor the situation, providing updates as needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for all.
