Key Takeaways
- A severe heatwave is expected to continue in the coastal border area of New South Wales and Queensland over the Christmas period.
- Stormy weather is forecast for other parts of Australia, including eastern and northern regions, from Monday.
- Temperatures are expected to vary significantly across the country, with Perth and Brisbane predicted to be the hottest capital cities on Christmas Day.
- Melbourne and Hobart are expected to experience cooler temperatures, with a chance of showers and even light snow flurries in elevated areas.
- A high-pressure system over the Great Australian Bight is contributing to the varying temperatures across the country.
Introduction to the Heatwave
A severe heatwave is currently affecting the coastal border area of New South Wales and Queensland, and is expected to continue into the Christmas period. According to Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines, the heatwave has already been affecting towns and cities in the region, with some locations recording night-time temperatures of 27C. The heatwave is expected to persist, with temperatures predicted to be 2-7C higher than average for December. This has already been evident in parts of Sydney, where temperatures reached 40C on Sunday.
Weather Forecast for Christmas Day
The weather forecast for Christmas Day is looking wildly different across various parts of Australia. Perth and Brisbane are expected to be the hottest capital cities, with predicted temperatures of 41C and 35C, respectively. In contrast, Melbourne and Hobart are expected to experience cooler temperatures, with forecast tops of 17C and 16C, respectively. If Melbourne only reaches 17C, it will be the city’s coldest Christmas Day since 2006. There is also a chance of a shower in Melbourne in the morning, while wet weather is forecast across western Tasmania. Additionally, there is a possibility of light snow flurries in elevated areas on Christmas morning.
Stormy Weather Forecast
In addition to the heatwave, stormy weather is forecast for other parts of Australia from Monday. A band of thunderstorms is expected to build and develop across eastern and northern parts of the country, stretching from the New South Wales coast to the Northern Territory. This will bring a broad risk of stormy weather across these areas for the next few days. Storms and rain are also forecast from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns, across most of the Northern Territory, and over Western Australia’s Kimberley region. Darwin and Cairns have predicted maximum temperatures in the low 30s, while the mercury is slated to reach the low to mid 40s in parts of WA’s Pilbara.
Temperature Variance Across the Country
The huge variance in daily temperatures across the country is due to a high-pressure system hovering over the Great Australian Bight. This is not uncommon for this time of year, but unfortunately, the coolest day of the week coincides with Christmas Day across Victoria and Tasmania. As a result, Melbourne and Hobart are expected to experience cooler temperatures, while Perth and Brisbane will be significantly hotter. Adelaide is expected to experience milder weather, with a maximum temperature of 25C expected on Christmas Day and 29C on Boxing Day. Sydney and Canberra will also be in the sweet spot, with slightly warmer tops in the mid 20s.
Severe Fire Danger and Thunderstorms
The severe fire danger in parts of Queensland has eased, but there is still a risk of fires starting and spreading quickly. However, the wind is not strong enough to cause fires to spread rapidly out of control. The severe thunderstorms forecast for eastern and northern parts of the country from Monday will bring a risk of stormy weather across these areas. The Bureau of Meteorology is monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
