Australians are set to experience a wildly divergent Christmas Day, with forecasts predicting everything from scorching heatwaves to wintery chills across the nation's capital cities. The Bureau of Meteorology has painted a picture of extreme contrasts, ensuring festive celebrations will be dictated by the local climate.
Scorching North and West, Chilly South
Perth is tipped to swelter through the hottest conditions of any Australian capital, with the mercury expected to climb to a blistering 41C on Christmas Day. Brisbane is not far behind, facing a hot and muggy 35C with the potential for afternoon showers or thunderstorms.
In stark contrast, residents in the southern capitals may be reaching for blankets instead of beach towels. Melbourne is forecast for a top of just 17C, which senior meteorologist Jonathan How notes would be its coldest Christmas Day since 2006. Hobart is looking even cooler at 16C, with showers forecast across western Tasmania and even the chance of light snow flurries over elevated areas on Christmas morning.
Sweet Spot for the East Coast Capitals
While some cities bake and others shiver, a lucky few are forecast for classic festive conditions. Adelaide is expecting a mild and pleasant 25C on Christmas Day, warming to 29C for Boxing Day. Sydney and Canberra are also in the seasonal sweet spot, with both predicted to enjoy highs in the mid-20s.
Further north, Darwin and Cairns are looking at maximum temperatures in the low 30s, while parts of Western Australia's Pilbara region could see the thermometer hit the low to mid-40s. Storms and rain are forecast from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns, across most of the Northern Territory and over the Kimberley in WA.
Warnings and Impacts Across the States
The dramatic temperature split is driven by a high-pressure system sitting over the Great Australian Bight. "It just comes down to timing and unfortunately the coolest day of the week coincides with Christmas Day across Victoria and Tasmania," explained How.
The varied conditions have prompted authorities to issue several warnings. Total fire bans are in place for Sunday in five NSW districts and the Mallee region in western Victoria. Simultaneously, severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for parts of eastern and northeastern Victoria and western NSW.
Communities including Mildura, Albury-Wodonga, and Broken Hill are being told to brace for potential heavy rain, destructive winds, large hailstones, and even possible tornadoes. Meanwhile, heatwave conditions persist in eastern and northeast NSW, and southern and southeast Queensland, with temperatures in areas like Penrith and Richmond near Sydney expected to reach the low 40s.
Looking ahead, there is some relief for cricket fans. "For the Boxing Day Test it will be dry and we will see the sun coming out for the afternoon at the MCG," How said, indicating a warming trend for the southeast heading into the weekend.
