BoM announces weather outlook for Christmas Day as the nation endures intense heatwave
Certain regions in Australia are set to experience sunshine and high temperatures this Christmas, while others are predicted to have overcast skies, mild weather, and some precipitation as Santa arrives. The Bureau of Meteorology has published its official holiday forecast, leaving less than a week for gift wrapping and planning. Queensland is expected to have warm, humid, and overcast conditions, with some northern and central areas likely facing moderate rain and possible thunderstorms. Brisbane’s temperature is projected to reach 33C.
Sign up: AU Breaking News email
Most of New South Wales is anticipated to enjoy generally dry and sunny weather on Christmas Day, according to the BoM. There could be a few coastal showers affecting regions along the east coast, but they are not expected to deliver “much rainfall,” typically 5mm or less, as stated by BoM senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury. There is a possibility of a thunderstorm in the north-east of NSW, yet the BoM currently does not foresee it escalating to severe levels. Sydney is set to record a high of 25C on Christmas Day, while Canberra is expected to reach 29C.
Victoria will likely experience a day that is generally mild to cool, with sporadic isolated showers, also yielding very little rain. High teens are expected south of the ranges – with Melbourne predicted to reach a high of 19C – and slightly warmer conditions, from the mid to high 20s, north of the ranges. South Australia is forecasted to enjoy mild to warm weather and is anticipated to see clear, sunny skies. The BoM indicated that residents should prepare for temperatures in the mid to high 30s inland and the low to mid 20s in the southeast and central SA, with Adelaide expecting a peak temperature of 26C on Christmas Day.
Tasmania will also have a cooler day, featuring scattered showers and the potential for snow on higher peaks around 1,000m. Western parts of Tasmania are typically expected to reach only the mid-teens, with Hobart forecast for a high of 17C on Christmas Day. In contrast, Western Australia is bracing for a very warm Christmas, with temperatures reaching the high 30s to low 40s in the western areas and the interior, and Perth anticipating a high of 39C on Christmas Day. The Northern Territory is looking at warm, humid, and overcast conditions in some sections, with mid-to-high-30s predicted in the central and northern regions, including the top end. Darwin is expected to have a high of 32C.
Christmas festivities will occur amid an intense and severe heatwave sweeping much of southern Australia, which commenced on Thursday and is expected to persist until Sunday. The BoM indicated that NSW’s mid-north coast, Illawarra, south coast, and Snowy Mountains are under extraordinary heatwave conditions, with certain areas expecting maximum temperatures to range from the high 30s to low 40s. A stretch along the coast from eastern Victoria to Brisbane will remain under a severe heatwave alert throughout the weekend. “Cooler temperatures are predicted to gradually emerge from the south, with heatwave conditions in these zones expected to peak by the end of this week before beginning to subside later over the weekend,” the BoM noted in an advisory. The NRMA has cautioned parents that extreme temperatures can quickly render parked vehicles hazardous, with interior temperatures rising over 30C above external readings. “Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can escalate to dangerous levels swiftly, putting children at immediate risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and, in severe instances, death,” the organization stated. “Fortunately, the number of calls to rescue children and pets trapped in vehicles has steadily declined in recent years.” This article was updated on 19 December 2025 to include weather details for Adelaide.
Published: 2025-12-19 13:49:00
source: www.theguardian.com
