Pleasant Christmas Day forecast for Geraldton

Geraldton can expect a pleasant 31 degree maximum temperature on Christmas Day — but spare a thought for Warburton, where the mercury could reach a face-melting 47C.

The Aboriginal community, south of the Gibson Desert in the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku, is one of three localities expecting a top of 47C.

Also suffering through the heat will be residents of Telfer and Kiwirrkurra, while Marble Bar is expecting a slightly cooler 46C.

Bureau of Meteorology Geraldton duty observer Pattrick Ramsdale said though the possibility of showers was initially forecast for Christmas Day, there was now only a five per cent chance.

“The current forecast has the trough sitting inland from Geraldton, which means that the hotter temperatures are also further to the east of us,” he said.

“Because we’re expected to be on the western side of the trough, we’re not expecting showers or high temperatures in Geraldton.”

The warm temperatures and light winds will be ideal for hitting Geraldton’s beaches.

“For the Geraldton coast tomorrow, we’re looking at a southerly wind, around 15-20 knots,” Mr Ramsdale said.

“That’s with a south-westerly swell around 1.5 metre to 2 metre, which will get up to 2 metre to 3 metre during the morning.

“Seas will be around 1 metre to 1.5 metres through most of the day. That will be decreasing to a metre in the morning, but back up to 1 metre to 1.5 metres in the afternoon.”

Morawa, 162km south-east of Geraldton, is expecting a searing 41 degree maximum with a 30 percent chance of rain.

If it does rain, it will be the first time in at least 22 years it has happened on Christmas Day in the small farming town.

“There is the potential for thunderstorm development; it’s not an unusual phenomenon at this time of year,” Mr Ramsdale said.

“Just by coincidence, it appears that there hasn’t been a rainfall report at the airport site there, on Christmas day, since that site was opened in 1997.”

For those heading north to Kalbarri for Christmas, expect a partly cloudy day with a top of 33C.

A mostly sunny day with a top of 36C is forecast for Perth tomorrow.