Western Australia is experiencing a dramatic weather reversal, with the state's scorching Christmas Day heatwave rapidly giving way to a surge of cooler conditions, thunderstorms, and potentially damaging winds.
From Record Heat to Cooling Front
The festive period baked under an intense state-wide heatwave. On Christmas Day, the mercury soared to a sweltering 41.2 degrees Celsius in the Perth CBD. The title for the hottest spot, however, went further north, with Geraldton recording a maximum of 44C, making it one of the hottest places on earth that day.
This extreme heat was short-lived. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed a cold front is now moving across the WA coast in a north-easterly direction, driving a significant temperature drop.
"It’s a much cooler day today, with a cold front from the South West bringing chillier conditions to the State," Bureau meteorologist Sarah Scully told PerthNow on Friday, December 26. "There is a risk of showers near the coast, which will bring some much-needed relief after the hot Christmas weather."
Thunderstorm and Wind Threat
The change is bringing more than just cooler air. Ms Scully warned there is a high chance of thunderstorms sweeping across parts of the state on Friday night and into Saturday.
"There is a potential for thunderstorms hitting parts of the South West and the metropolitan area along with the cold front," she said. Residents in coastal areas have been advised to monitor conditions closely, as damaging winds may also occur.
The Bureau forecasts wind gusts in the Perth metropolitan area could reach speeds of 46km/hr. The shift began to be felt on Friday afternoon, with light showers reported in some of Perth's northern suburbs from around 1.30pm.
Extended Cool Spell Ahead
The relief from the heat is set to linger. According to forecasts, the cooler temperatures will stick around until after New Year's, with below-average conditions expected to persist until early January.
Perth's forecast for the coming days is as follows:
- Friday: 13C - 25C, Possible showers
- Saturday: 13C - 24C, Mostly Sunny
- Sunday: 15C - 29C, Sunny
- Monday: 16C - 32C, Sunny
- Tuesday: 16C - 32C, Sunny
- Wednesday: 19C - 35C, Sunny
The sudden shift underscores the volatile nature of Western Australia's summer weather, taking residents from extreme heat to stormy conditions within a 24-hour period.
