Christmas day brought temperatures in the low to mid forties across Western Australia and for many areas the heat will stick around for the week, raising concerns for bushfires.
Perth's maximum climbed to 40 degrees on the big day, rivaling the hot Christmas of 2007, which reached 41 degrees. This now makes it their second hottest Christmas day in at least 17 years.
This heat is not budging either, with Perth forecast to remain above 31 degrees through to next weekend, even nudging 40 degrees again on Monday. After five days already staying above 31 degrees and another seven possibly to come, this should make it the hottest string of December days in at least 17 years.
Hot east to northeast winds are to blame and have been affecting much of the state. The mercury rose to 38 degrees in Geraldton on Christmas Day and 45 degrees in Morawa, 10 above the average.
But with the hot temperatures and dry, gusty easterly winds, concerns are raised for the bush fire threat.
The Central West, Lower West and Central Wheat Belt districts are currently under a severe fire danger warning and this is also in place for the Shire of Ashburton sub-district.
