Australians planning their Christmas and New Year festivities are facing a dramatic mix of extreme weather, with severe storms and potential flooding threatening the north while heatwaves scorch the west.
Monsoonal Rains and Flood Warnings for the North
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a series of severe weather warnings, casting a damp cloud over Christmas celebrations in parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory. From Christmas morning through the weekend, severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall are forecast for the state's north and centre.
A monsoon trough is expected to bring significant downpours, prompting a flood watch for the Barkly, Gregory, and Carpentaria districts. Further flood watches are active for parts of north-western Queensland and the Northern Territory. Authorities warn this could lead to post-Christmas flooding across the Sunshine State.
National Festive Forecast: From Scorching Heat to Chilly Showers
The national picture for Christmas Day is one of stark contrasts. In Brisbane, humid conditions will see showers and potential thunderstorms after lunch, with temperatures reaching a balmy 34C. However, those hoping for a Gold Coast beach day face strong wind warnings.
Perth is bracing for a scorching Christmas, with tops of 41C leading to a severe heatwave warning for the Gascoyne, Central West, Lower West and South West regions. Darwin is forecast for a 50mm tropical downpour.
Meanwhile, southern capitals are in for cooler conditions. Sydney can expect some showers and a top of 23C, Melbourne a windy 17C, and Hobart a chilly 15C. A hazardous surf warning is in place for parts of the NSW coast, including the Macquarie, Hunter, and Sydney coasts.
Only Canberra (27C) and Adelaide (25C) are anticipating a fine and relatively mild Christmas Day.
Authorities Hope Rain May Dampen Bushfire Risk
While the wet weather may disappoint many, emergency services see a potential silver lining. After a devastating few weeks where bushfires ravaged parts of NSW and Perth, claiming homes and firefighters' lives, the rainfall could lessen the fire risk on Christmas Day.
"In NSW we had about 16 homes lost recently, a similar number at Dolphin Sands in Tasmania and there's been a few lost in WA as well, and tragically, we've lost firefighters as well," said Andrew Gissing, chief executive of Natural Hazards Research Australia.
The severe weather conditions are expected to persist for several days before easing over the weekend, with heavy rain likely to extend towards eastern Queensland between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
