Dreaming of a SCORCHING Christmas: Intense heatwave is set to sweep across Australia sending temperatures soaring towards 50C on December 25 - so how long will the hot blast last?
- Fine and sunny conditions forecast on Christmas Day for most parts of Australia
- Only chance of rain is in far north Queensland and the Northern Territory
- Heatwave conditions forecast for many parts of Australia later this week
Most of Australia is set to scorch through Christmas Day, with temperatures in parts of the country nudging 50C.
Those dreaming of festive celebrations at the beach or by the pool will have their Christmas wishes granted, with a high pressure system covering nearly the entire country bringing dry and very hot conditions on Tuesday.
The only exception will be far north Queensland, which remains on flood watch in the aftermath of ex-cyclone Owen, with more than 100mm of rain forecast in parts of the state.
Bondi Beach (pictured on Christmas Eve) will be the coolest place in Sydney to spend Christmas Day
Crowds flocked to the beach on Christmas Eve to get an early taste of warm weather
A high pressure system covering most of Australia will bring very hot and dry conditions
'Generally across Australia, we're looking at hot and sunny conditions on Christmas Day, apart from the chance of storms in north Queensland and the Northern Territory,' the Bureau of Meteorology's Sarah Fitton told Daily Mail Australia.
'Most states will see above average temperatures, particularly the southern parts of the country, where it will be 8-10C above average. The trough coming through is grabbing that heat as we haven't had a strong cold front to flush it out.'
Western Australia will continue to swelter through its current heatwave with Marble Bar in the Pilbara region forecast to hit a blistering 47C on Christmas and 48C on Boxing Day.
Fine and sunny weather is forecast for most parts of Australia on Christmas Day. A woman is pictured at Bondi on December 24
Thousands are expected to celebrate Christmas at Bondi Beach on Tuesday with a top of 29
Fitzroy Crossing in the state's Kimberley region could be on track its hottest December day ever on Tuesday.
'If it gets up to 47C, it will break the 46.5C record broken on December 8,' Ms Fitton said.
Much of central Australia will also soar into the 40s on Christmas Day, including Alice Springs (41C), Coober Pedy (41C), Eyre (41C) and Birdsville (42C).
Much of Australia's east coast will bask in sunshine on Christmas Day, including Sydney
Fine and sunny weather is forecast for most parts of Australia this week
There will be pleasant conditions along much of Australia's east coast with a top of 29C in Sydney and Brisbane.
The hottest area in New South Wales over Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be in the state's far west, where Tibooburra will soar to 41C on Tuesday and 42 on Wednesday.
Melburnians will enjoy a cooler 26 degrees after highs of 34C on Monday.
Christmas Day at the beach is an annual tradition for many Australians and overseas visitors
Many parts of Australia will experience heatwave conditions later in the week
Those in spending Christmas in Canberra (33), Adelaide (35) and Perth (35) will need to slip, slop, slap if celebrating outdoors.
While Hobart will enjoy a mild 22 degrees, the sun will be out for nearly 17 hours from 5.30am and won't go down until 9.25pm, according to Weatherzone.
The weather will only get hotter after Christmas.
Adelaide will end 2018 with six consecutive days of 35C plus temperatures, including a scorching 41C predicted for Thursday.
'Very hot week ahead. Max temperatures reaching mid-high40s for parts of the state midweek and expected remain there through to Sunday and beyond,' the South Australian Bureau of Meteorology tweeted.
Thousands will flock to the beach on Christmas Day, with fine weather forecast for much of Australia's east coast
'Most states will see an increase in temperatures later in the week, particularly in South Australia, parts of northern Victoria and southern NSW,' Ms Fitton told Daily Mail Australia.
'There's a slight chance December temperature records in some areas will be broken.'
In Melbourne, perfect conditions are forecast for the Boxing Day cricket Test match between Australia and India at the MCG.
'We can expect some morning cloud and a sunny afternoon with some light winds and a top of 26C,' Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Beren Bradshaw told AAP.
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