Christmas Day in Perth transformed into a sun-drenched exodus to the coastline as a severe heatwave gripped the city, pushing temperatures to a scorching 42.1 degrees Celsius. Tens of thousands of residents traded traditional living rooms for the sand and surf, donning festive attire in a bid to stay cool.
Record-Breaking Heat Just Misses Historic Mark
The mercury soared throughout Thursday, with Perth's official high of 42.1C recorded around 3:30pm. This intense heat came agonisingly close to the city's hottest Christmas record of 42.8C, set in 2021. The city also avoided its record for the highest minimum temperature, with the mercury dipping to a relatively balmy 24.8C around 5am.
Other areas felt the burn even more intensely. Gooseberry Hill reached 43C, while Perth Airport and the Swan Valley recorded tops of 42.8C and 41.4C respectively.
Beaches Become the Festive Epicentre
With such extreme conditions, the beach became the undeniable hub of Christmas activity. City Beach was packed by Thursday morning, a scene of families in matching shirts and friends sharing food and drinks under the sun.
Nick Slattery, who spent the morning at the beach with his family, said the heat had forced a change of plans. "We will have a water pistol fight at the end of the day to really cool ourselves down," he shared. His family's strategy involved hoses, ample ice, and air conditioning on full blast.
Despite the altered setting, traditions held strong. Mr Slattery detailed a feast beginning with classic Australian seafood like prawns and lobster, moving to roast pork and turkey, and culminating in a homemade Christmas pudding prepared by his mother since November.
A Mix of Traditions Under the Sun
The heatwave experience varied, especially for visitors. Gráinne Arkins, at the beach with friends from Ireland and the UK, was experiencing her first Perth summer. "It's a bit different from a Christmas at home but yeah, it'll be unreal," she said.
She planned a hybrid celebration: a full Irish breakfast followed by an Australian barbecue for dinner. "A bit of Irish, a bit of Aussie, a bit of a taste from home and then the Aussie taste as well," she explained.
At Matilda Bay, families sought cooler shade and the waters of the Swan River. Russell Boulden was there with his family, testing out a new paddle board received as a Christmas gift. "After the hot weather we've had, it's bloody brilliant down here," he remarked, describing a day of presents, a cooked breakfast, a swim, and later family visits.
A Nation of Contrasting Christmases
While Perth baked, the weather painted a vastly different picture across Australia. Residents of Mount Wellington near Hobart, Tasmania, awoke to a white Christmas with snow, a dusting also seen in the Central Midlands.
Most mainland capitals enjoyed mild weather in the mid-twenties to early thirties. Melbourne, however, shivered through a maximum of just 17C. The Cocos Islands had a near brush with Tropical Cyclone Grant, which brought strong winds and heavy rain before conditions eased.
In Sydney, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a Christmas message after volunteering at a homelessness charity. He acknowledged the recent Bondi tragedy, stating Christmas was a time for "hope over fear" and "togetherness over antisemitism and hate."
Cool Relief on the Horizon for Perth
Fortunately for Perth residents, a cool change is imminent. A cold front moving along the state's south coast is set to bring much-needed relief, with temperatures dropping to the high 20s for the remainder of the week.
The forecast for Perth shows a significant cooldown:
- Boxing Day: Shower or two clearing, 21C - 25C
- December 27: Mostly sunny, 13C - 25C
- December 28: Sunny, 15C - 29C
- December 29: Sunny, 16C - 31C
- December 30: Sunny, 15C - 32C
- December 31: Sunny, 18C - 34C
