Residents of Geraldton are being urged to prepare for a blisteringly hot festive season, with the latest forecast predicting a scorching Christmas Day that will test even the most sun-hardened West Australians.
Heatwave Peaks on Christmas
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a stark update for the Mid West city, forecasting a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius for December 25. This extreme heat follows a warm night where the mercury is not expected to drop below 26 degrees, offering little respite.
The Christmas Day peak is the culmination of a punishing pre-Christmas heatwave. Temperatures are forecast to hit 42C on both Tuesday, December 22, and Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve), setting the stage for a sizzling holiday.
Beaches and Pools to Provide Crucial Relief
With such intense heat on the way, local beaches and backyard swimming pools are expected to be massively popular as residents and visitors seek relief. Community warnings about sun safety, hydration, and checking on vulnerable neighbours are anticipated to be issued ahead of the peak.
Thankfully, a significant cooldown is on the horizon for the city after Christmas. Boxing Day is forecast to be a much more manageable 28 degrees Celsius, providing welcome relief from the intense heat.
Chasing a Fiery Christmas Record
While a 43C Christmas Day is exceptionally hot, Geraldton has experienced even more extreme festive weather in recent memory. The city's all-time record for both its hottest Christmas Day and its hottest December day was set just a few years ago.
On December 25, 2021, the temperature soared to a furnace-like 47.3 degrees Celsius, a record that still stands. While this year's predicted 43C is four degrees shy of that mark, it underscores the region's vulnerability to severe and record-breaking summer heat events, particularly during the holiday period.
