Christmas Day Weather in Australia

Some parts of Australia will enjoy sunshine and warm weather this Christmas, while other areas can expect cooler temperatures, clouds, and a bit of rain.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has shared the official holiday forecast, with less than a week to go until Christmas.

• Queensland will be warm, humid, and mostly cloudy. Some northern and central areas may see moderate rain and a few thunderstorms. Brisbane could reach 33°C.
• New South Wales will mostly have dry and sunny weather. Coastal areas may get a few light showers, usually no more than 5mm. Sydney could see 25°C, and Canberra around 29°C. Thunderstorms are possible in the north-east but are unlikely to be severe.
• Victoria will have cool to mild weather with a few light showers. Temperatures will be in the high teens in the south (Melbourne around 19°C) and warmer in the north, mid to high 20s.
• South Australia will enjoy clear skies and mild to warm temperatures. Inland areas could see mid to high 30s, southeast and central parts in the low to mid-20s. Adelaide might reach 26°C.
• Tasmania will be cooler with scattered showers and a chance of snow on high peaks. Western Tasmania will have mid-teens, and Hobart could reach 17°C.
• Western Australia will be very hot, with western and inland areas reaching high 30s to low 40s. Perth may hit 39°C.
• Northern Territory will have warm, humid, and cloudy conditions, with central and northern areas in the mid-to-high 30s. Darwin could see 32°C.

This Christmas follows a severe heatwave in southern Australia that started on Thursday and is expected to last through Sunday. Areas like NSW’s mid-north coast, Illawarra, south coast, and Snowy Mountains are facing extreme heat, with temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s. A stretch from eastern Victoria up to Brisbane is under a severe heatwave warning.

The BoM says temperatures will slowly cool down from the south by the end of the week, with the heat easing over the weekend.

The NRMA warns parents to be careful with cars in hot weather. Even on mild days, the inside of a parked car can get 30°C hotter than outside, which is dangerous for children and pets. Heatstroke, dehydration, and even death are possible if left unattended.