The Christmas Day forecast for Perth has taken a dramatic turn, threatening to disrupt festive plans with a combination of extreme heat and potential storms. The Bureau of Meteorology issued an updated prediction on Wednesday morning, adding the possibility of dry, gusty thunderstorms to what was already set to be a blisteringly hot day.
Record-Breaking Heat and Storm Threat
Meteorologists are forecasting a sizzling maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius for December 25. More remarkably, the overnight minimum could stay at a sweltering 26 degrees. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Robert Lawry confirmed this would be a historic event, noting, "That would be a record... the last time it happened was in 1915."
Adding to the challenging conditions, a low-pressure trough moving across Western Australia is now expected to generate thunderstorms that may reach the Perth metropolitan area by the afternoon. Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury explained the system is "likely to generate dry, gusty, thunderstorms at times during the day." The Bureau also forecasts a slight chance of a light shower accompanying the storm activity.
Severe Heatwave Warning Issued
In response to the extreme forecast, authorities have issued a formal Christmas Day heatwave warning for a large portion of WA, including Perth. This classification indicates conditions that can be dangerous, especially for the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Residents in affected areas are strongly urged to take precautions:
- Seek out cool places, such as air-conditioned shopping centres or libraries.
- Close windows and draw blinds, curtains, or awnings early in the day to keep homes from heating up.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activity during the peak heat.
Health Experts Urge Sun and Heat Safety
The warning comes with a timely reminder from health professionals about the risks of sun exposure and heat-related illness. Perth Children’s Hospital emergency department co-head Dennis Chow issued advice after treating a child for severe, blistered sunburn earlier in the week.
"Make sure you be safe by avoiding the hottest parts of the day," Mr Chow said. "If you are outside, ensure there’s sunscreen and you have sun protection. Make sure you’re keeping lots of fluids up as well, as that is important to avoid heat stroke."
Despite the afternoon storm threat, the morning is still expected to be sunny, offering a window for beachgoers to enjoy the sunshine before conditions deteriorate. The full forecast for the coming days shows a significant cooldown after Christmas, with temperatures returning to the mid-20s by Friday.
PERTH WEATHER FORECAST
Wednesday: Sunny, Max 39 ☀️
Thursday (Christmas Day): Partly cloudy, 26-40 ⛅️
Friday: Partly cloudy, 21-25 ⛅️
Saturday: Sunny, 13-25 ☀️
Sunday: Sunny, 15-28 ☀️
Monday: Sunny, 16-30 ☀️
Tuesday: Sunny, 15-31 ☀️
