Key Takeaways
- Tens of thousands of West Aussies flocked to the beach on Christmas Day to escape the heat
- Temperatures in Perth reached a high of 42.1C, narrowly avoiding the record for the city’s hottest Christmas
- Many families and groups of friends spent the day at the beach, enjoying the water and festive atmosphere
- The heatwave conditions led to some families adjusting their Christmas plans, including moving celebrations inside and using cooling measures like water pistols and air conditioning
- A cold front is expected to bring relief to Perth, with temperatures dipping to the high 20s for the rest of the week
Introduction to the Heatwave
The Christmas Day heatwave in Perth saw tens of thousands of West Aussies flocking to the beach to escape the scorching temperatures. The mercury soared to a high of 42.1C, narrowly avoiding the unwanted record of Perth’s hottest Christmas in 2021, which reached a scorching 42.8C. The city’s temperature peaked at around 3:30 pm, and despite the heat, the minimum temperature dipped to a relatively mild 24.8C around 5 am.
Beachgoers Enjoy the Festive Atmosphere
The beaches were packed with families and groups of friends, all enjoying the festive atmosphere and cooling off in the water. City Beach was particularly popular, with many families and groups of friends sharing food and drink, and some even donning matching shirts. Nick Slattery spent the morning at the beach with his family before heading to a big family lunch, where they would enjoy a traditional Christmas feast, including seafood, roast pork, turkey, and handmade Christmas pudding.
Coping with the Heat
The heatwave conditions led to some families adjusting their Christmas plans, including moving celebrations inside and using cooling measures like water pistols and air conditioning. Gráinne Arkins, who was spending Christmas in Perth with her friends from Ireland and the UK, said she wasn’t quite used to the heat and was looking forward to a big Irish breakfast and a barbecue for dinner. Russell Boulden, who was at Matilda Bay with his family, said the water was the perfect way to cool off, and they had already opened presents and had a cooked breakfast at home before heading to the bay.
Weather Conditions Across the Nation
The weather varied across the rest of the nation, with some areas experiencing extreme conditions. Those in Mount Wellington near Hobart, Tasmania, awoke to snow, making it a white Christmas, while those in the Central Midlands received a dusting. Most of the mainland capital cities enjoyed mild weather, but those in Melbourne had to bristle through a maximum of just 17C. The Cocos Islands had a near brush with Tropical Cyclone Grant, which caused strong winds and heavy rain, but conditions eased through the day as the storm passed.
A Message of Hope and Kindness
In Sydney, Anthony Albanese gave a Christmas message after helping serve food at a homelessness charity, acknowledging the Bondi massacre and saying Christmas was a time for the good in people to rise above hate. He emphasized the importance of hope, bravery, kindness, and togetherness, and expressed his optimism about the country. The message was a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas, which can be celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike.
Relief from the Heat
Perth locals are in for some much-needed cool relief, with temperatures dipping to the high 20s for the rest of the week as a cold front moves through the State’s south coast. The forecast promises a mix of sunny and cloudy days, with temperatures ranging from 13C to 34C. The cooler weather will be a welcome respite from the heatwave conditions, and many will be looking forward to enjoying the outdoors without the scorching temperatures.
