20 December 2022

Mother Nature (finally) delivers summer in time for Christmas

| Claire Fenwicke
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Santa in the surf

Summer weather has arrived just in time for Christmas. Photo: File.

We can finally swap our jackets and jumpers for swimmers and sunscreen, with Mother Nature serving up Christmas sunshine in time for Santa’s visit.

A band of low-pressure systems have been pushing unusually far north so far over summer, delivering unseasonal snow to some parts and leaving the rest of us dealing with chilly winds and temperatures.

But Weatherzone meteorologist Yoska Hernandez said that’s all about to change.

“Storms will start moving over NSW from tomorrow (21 December) but that will clear up in time for the weekend,” she said.

“A trough is approaching from the west, which is developing northerly, warmer winds with temperatures also increasing.

“This, along with a high-pressure system over southern NSW, will see a bit of cloud and fog along the eastern coast for Christmas morning, but this will clear and most will have a sunny day in general with high temperatures.”

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It’s predicted to hit 30 degrees in Canberra for both Christmas and Boxing Day, with some light to moderate winds about as well.

That’s the first time it’s been this hot in the capital since February.

For towns in the capital region, such as Goulburn, Queanbeyan and Yass, it’s a similar story, with temperatures predicted to reach the high 20s to low 30s with lots of sunshine.

The Snowy Mountains experienced Australia’s lowest summer temperature on record earlier this month, with Perisher Valley plunging to -7 degrees at about 5:30 am on 9 December.

There was also a large dumping of snow at the ski resorts just last week, with blizzard conditions on 12 December with -2 degrees recorded at Thredbo.

However, the region is also shaking off the snow for some gorgeous summer days at Christmas.

Cooma’s expected to have some morning cloud before reaching 28 degrees on Christmas Day, while Jindabyne’s predicted to hit a maximum of 26 degrees.

Perisher Valley is only expected to reach 19 degrees, but that’s a sight better than what they’ve been experiencing lately.

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If you’re heading down to the South Coast, things will be a little bit cooler in the ACT, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s.

Looking at Batemans Bay, it’s expected to hit 26 degrees on Christmas Day before a pleasant 25 degrees to watch the Boxing Day Test.

Eden is expected to be slightly cooler – 24 and 23 degrees, respectively – while the temperatures will be warmer for Bega, with a partly cloudy 27 degrees on Christmas Day before 25 degrees on Monday.

The afternoon sea breezes will keep a lid on the temperatures into the evening.

But if you’re heading in the other direction and going inland for the silly season, it’ll be even hotter.

Wagga Wagga’s looking at a top of 33 degrees on Christmas Day before heating up further to 34 degrees on Boxing Day.

While further west out at Griffith will reach a skin-scorching 36 degrees by 26 December.

So beautiful Christmas days are on the way no matter where you are across the ACT and NSW, perfect for backyard cricket (or watching), jumping in the waves at the beach or hanging by the pool.

Original Article published by Claire Fenwicke on Riotact.

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