Christmas Heatwave for Australia

40C Heatwave to hit Australia at Christmas

**** CHRISTMAS HEATWAVE TO HIT SOUTHERN & SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA DURING THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD FRIDAY DECEMBER 23RD TIL TUESDAY DECEMBER 27TH ****

**** PLEASE SHARE/TAG THIS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IN THESE AREAS ****

An exceptional heatwave is becoming more likely as we move into the Christmas period with South Australia, Victoria and inland NSW to be the hardest hit.

As we have mentioned since middle of last week we were expecting a "blocking system" to set up thanks to the large tropical low or cyclone that is expected to develop near WA coast this coming week, an upper trough or upper low over QLD and a upper high ridge stuck in between.

This will force and sink all the hot air southwards towards the southern states with SA, VIC, parts of NSW hit the hardest. Some of this warmer/hotter weather will also move into parts of Tasmania.

Temperatures in SA, Victoria and inland NSW including ACT are expected to reach high 30's and low 40's with possible temps of 42-44c in parts of SA and north western Victoria.

Coastal parts may see seabreezes which will take a slight edge off temps some of the days however Adelaide, Melbourne and the ACT will see very high temps in this period with possible 40c in both Adelaide and Melbourne and close to 40c in Canberra especially later in the period for the ACT.

Parts of Tasmania is also likely to see 30c+ temps mostly inland and the south but seabreezes will keep things milder near and along the coast most of the days.

Fire dangers will also become severe and extreme during this period especially if we see stronger northerly winds which is shown by the models by the 27th.

If you are travelling during this period please be careful and remember to keep fluids up.

There may be a weak trough through inland NSW and parts of Victoria which may trigger one or two showers and thunderstorms mostly Xmas eve and Xmas day but they will generally be isolated.

Please try stay cool during this period and keep up the water during this Christmas period, keep an eye out on the elderly, children, the ill and pets.

The maps show temperatures from Christmas eve the 24th til Tuesday December 27th from left to right thanks to the GFS model via Piovtalweather.

- JWC TEAM