Key Takeaways:
- Perth is forecast to be the hottest capital city in Australia on Christmas Day, with a maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius.
- The heat will be driven by a new west coast trough, pushing warm north-easterly winds over western and southern parts of the state.
- Christmas Day is expected to be sunny and hot, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees in some suburbs.
- Popular holiday destinations in the state’s south, such as Bunbury and Busselton, will also experience hot temperatures, with little reprieve from the heat.
- The Midwest and Central Wheatbelt districts are set to sizzle under temperatures close to 40C.
Introduction to the Forecast
Perth is set to be the hottest capital city in the nation on Christmas Day, with a maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius forecast. According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) first predictions for December 25, much of WA, including Perth, is set to bake under very hot and sunny conditions. The heat will be driven by a new west coast trough, pushing warm north-easterly winds over western and southern parts of the state. Meteorologist Jessica Lingard said the heat will be driven by a new west coast trough, which will bring hot weather to the region.
Christmas Day Forecast
The forecast for Christmas Day is looking hot, with Perth expected to reach a maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius. If this forecast is correct, it will be the hottest Christmas since 2021, when a record 42.8C was recorded. However, Ms. Lingard does not think any temperature records will be broken. The temperature is expected to be even higher in some suburbs, with areas such as Midland, Armadale, and Ellenbrook likely to see top temperatures around 40 degrees. The heat will be felt early in the day, with a westerly sea breeze potentially picking up in the afternoon, providing some relief.
Regional Forecast
If you’re planning to escape the heat in the metro area, popular holiday destinations in the state’s south won’t be offering much reprieve. In Perth’s closest regional city of Bunbury, Christmas Day is forecast to be sunny and 34C, while Busselton is predicted to peak at 36C. Even the south coast isn’t looking any friendlier, with Pemberton tipped to reach a very hot 37C and Denmark getting to 35C. The Midwest and Central Wheatbelt districts are also set to sizzle under temperatures close to 40C. Geraldton will see a big jump in temperatures in the lead-up to Christmas Day, going from a top of 34C on Monday to a scorching 41C for Christmas Eve.
Rain Offers Little Relief
Wet season conditions over the state’s north won’t offer relief from the heat. The Gascoyne and Pilbara districts are expected to experience extremely hot temperatures, with inland areas reaching 42 or 43 degrees. The heat will be pushed all the way to the Pilbara coastline, making it a really hot day for the folks in Karratha, with a top temperature on Thursday of 39 degrees, while it could hit 40 degrees in Port Hedland. However, it will be cooler across parts of the Kimberley than it will in the metro area, thanks to thunderstorm activity over the region. The mercury is set to reach a mild 32C in Wyndham and Kununurra on Thursday, with afternoon showers and storms predicted.
Conclusion and Uncertainty
While the seven-day forecast gives a reasonable idea of the weather on the day, Ms. Lingard says there is still time for a change. The west coast trough is the key factor in determining the weather, and if it decides to move inland earlier, there could be some reprieve with slightly cooler temperatures. However, if it decides to hang around the coast a little longer, there is even a chance it could go a little warmer for those on the western southern coastline. As a result, it’s essential to keep an eye on the forecast and plan accordingly to stay safe and cool during the hot Christmas period.