Christmas Day across much of Australia will be hot and largely dry, with the summer's first heatwave forecast for southern regions between Christmas and New Year. Shade and sunscreen will be essential for outdoor lunches, as temperatures soar in many areas.
Victoria will see a calmer but hotter Christmas Day after recent thunderstorms. Melbourne is expected to reach 28°C, while Mildura in the north-west will hit 37°C. Popular holiday spots along the Great Ocean Road will enjoy fine conditions, with temperatures in the low to mid-20s. Senior forecaster Matthew Thomas from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) noted that hotter days will follow, with some parts of Victoria exceeding 40°C early next week before a cold front brings relief and possible storms on Wednesday.
In New South Wales, most areas will be dry on Christmas Day, though a brief storm may occur in Sydney's outer west. Sydney and Newcastle will reach 28°C, while Byron Bay and the northern rivers have a 70% chance of rain and thunderstorms. Canberra will be warm and partly cloudy, reaching 31°C. Further west, Wagga Wagga and Broken Hill will hit 35°C. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day is expected to start under fine conditions with light easterly winds, though a trough may bring southerly changes later in the week for slower boats.
South Australia will experience a string of hot days, with Adelaide reaching 31°C on Christmas Day, 37°C on Boxing Day, and 41°C on Tuesday. Tasmania will have cooler conditions, with Hobart and Launceston reaching 25°C on Christmas Day, followed by warmer days later in the week. The Boxing Day Test at the MCG will see hot weather, with forecasts of 29°C, 34°C, and 35°C for the first three days, and a 30% chance of rain on Day 4.
