Queensland’s north, east, and southeast are bracing for severe storms, while Melbourne is set to experience one of its chilliest Christmas Days on record. Meanwhile, Perth is gearing up for a heatwave with temperatures soaring into the 40s.

Authorities are urging Australians to stay informed, plan accordingly, and remain vigilant as the nation faces a spectrum of extreme weather conditions.

Experts have identified high humidity levels, visible through water vapour imagery, as a major factor driving storm activity. This moisture extends from northern Australia down to northeastern New South Wales.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are in place for areas such as the Wide Bay Burnett, Capricornia, Central Highlands, and Coalfields. These regions could experience heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding, while areas closer to the New South Wales border are at risk of damaging winds and hail.

Large portions of Queensland are expected to be impacted by severe thunderstorms. Stay updated and take the necessary precautions to ensure safety during these adverse weather conditions.

Severe thunderstorms are forecast for large parts of Queensland. Source: AAP / .

“That’s wind gusts in excess of 90 kilometres per hour,” Scully said, with “a risk of large hail”.

Flood watches remain in force across western Queensland and eastern parts of the Northern Territory as repeated days of rainfall saturate catchments and rivers begin to rise.

“Grounds are getting wet and catchments sodden,” Scully said, warning that roads could be cut off and communities isolated in the coming days, with both flash and riverine flooding possible.

Melbourne swaps summer heat for winter bite

While northern Australia braces for storms, Melbourne is preparing for a cool and subdued Christmas, with a forecast top of just 17C under cloudy and breezy skies.

Cool temperatures are forecast for Melbourne. Source: AAP / Diego Fidele

If temperatures fail to rise above that mark, it would be Melbourne’s fourth-coldest Christmas Day since records began in 1855 — a stark departure from last year’s festive heat, when the city reached 33C.

This year, Victorians are more likely to reach for jumpers than sunscreen.

WA heatwave raises bushfire risk over Christmas

Senior BoM meteorologist Robert Lawry said a deepening west coast trough was driving “very hot conditions” along the west coast, including Perth and the south-west.

Emergency services warned the hot and gusty conditions could significantly increase bushfire danger across the south-west land division.