Hottest Christmas Day in seven years forecast for Geraldton

Geraldton is set to sizzle through its hottest Christmas since 2014, with temperatures expected to hit the high 30s on Saturday.

A maximum of 36C is forecast for Christmas Day, meaning conditions will be perfect for a dip in the ocean before lunch and a backyard cricket session in the afternoon.

Boxing Day will also be warm, with 37C forecast.

The mercury hit 34.1C in 2020 but temperatures typically have been in the high 20s on December 25 in recent years.

Geraldton’s hottest Christmas in the last decade was in 2012 when the top reached 41C, with 2014’s maximum temperature of 38.7C also seeing locals flock to the beach.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Caroline Crow said Geraldton could expect mild conditions early in the week before the weather started to warm up.

“Temperatures over the next couple of days are going to be around the high 20s and low 30s until Thursday,” she said.

“There is a trough near the west coast and a ridge to the south and it is going to push the easterly winds over on Thursday and Friday, bringing those warm temperatures to the area.”

Ms Crow said much of the State would experience a hot and dry Christmas, with temperatures set to reach the low 40s in parts of the Gascyone and North West.

Kalbarri and Northampton can expect to hit about 37C on Saturday, with a scorching 43C forecast for Meekatharra.

With Christmas still four days away, Ms Crow said there was still time for the forecast for Geraldton to change.