Australians are getting ready for Christmas — and as always, the big question is whether the weather will play nice. From tropical storms in the north to blazing heat in the west, this year’s forecast is shaping up to be as unpredictable as ever.
Calm Skies for Some, Thunder for Others
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), much of the east coast will get a break from the pre-Christmas storms that have hit in recent days. Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and the ACT are expected to start Christmas week with thunderstorms, but by December 25, the worst of it should have moved north.
That means most of the east — up to southern Queensland — can look forward to a mild, mostly dry Christmas Day. But don’t put the umbrellas away just yet: from Noosa northward, things could turn tropical, with the BoM warning of heavy rain and isolated storms. Across Darwin and the Top End, classic wet-season conditions are expected — warm, sticky, and stormy. Locals know the drill: barbecues might have to share space with umbrellas.
Heatwave to Dominate Western Australia’s Christmas
While the east enjoys milder conditions, Western Australia is bracing for extreme heat. Perth is forecast to hit a sizzling 41°C, making it one of the hottest spots in the country this Christmas. Inland areas are set to bake even more, with parts of the Pilbara and Goldfields regions expected to nudge the mid-40s.
“The real spot of heat on Christmas Day is going to be in the west,” said BoM meteorologist Angus Hines to 9News. “We’re still lining up to see the potential for a 40-degree maximum temperature in Perth.” Meanwhile, South Australia will get a reprieve from earlier heatwaves. Adelaide is tipped for a sunny and comfortable 25°C, with only a few clouds expected to drift by — a rare weather win for the state during the festive break.
A Cool Change Down South
Further south, the Christmas forecast leans on the cooler side. Melbourne will see a mild and partly cloudy day with a top of 18°C, while Canberra is set for 28°C and clear skies before temperatures drop sharply overnight. Hobart is looking at a brisk 16°C under cloudy conditions, ideal for those who prefer a cool Christmas lunch over a hot one.
Sydney is expected to sit somewhere in between, with a warm 30°C and a slight chance of an afternoon shower. Brisbane, meanwhile, should see around 34°C, with a humid feel and a few scattered showers — typical for a Queensland Christmas.
A Truly Aussie Forecast
All in all, it’s a classic Australian mix: heat, rain, wind, and everything in between. Families in Perth might be hiding from the sun while those in Melbourne reach for jumpers. In Darwin, storms could roll through mid-feast, and in Sydney, the air conditioners will likely be humming.
Whatever the conditions, it’s the kind of weather that makes Australia… well, Australia — a country where barbecues, beaches, and thunderstorms all belong in the same sentence. So whether you’re escaping to the coast or staying home with the air-con on full blast, it’s best to keep an eye on the skies. After all, a little unpredictability has always been part of an Aussie Christmas.
