Australians in the Top End of the country are preparing for the affects of a potential Christmas cyclone that is moving towards Darwin.
A Tropical Cyclone Advice has been issued for the Northern Territory, including Darwin and the Tiwi Islands, as well as far north Western Australia through until after Boxing Day.
The cause is a tropical low, which is strengthening as it moves south towards the Top End.
People in the region can expect a wet Christmas with heavy rain forecast to develop across the Tiwi Islands and Cobourg Peninsula throughout Christmas Day, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
And while it's wet in the north, it will be hot in the west, with temperatures across parts of Western Australia, from Shark Bay down to Walpole, are forecast to reach 42C across Christmas and Boxing days, according to the BoM.
That would be the hottest Christmas Day since records began.
The heatwave is being driven by a high-pressure ridge pushing a west coast trough offshore meaning that sea breezes, which would normally offset the hot temperatures, will be weak.
"Hot conditions and some gusty easterly winds will increase the fire dangers through the Perth area and all the way down to the south-west forest areas as well," BoM WA state manager James Ashley said.
"We're expecting very high or high to severe fire danger ratings."
But it's not just the west that needs to worry about the sun on December 25, with the BoM warning people around Australia of the need for sun protection out of doors.
Around the states and territories, the UV index is expected to hit 11 or 12 - reaching the "extreme" category.
Ahead of this, the BoM is asking residents to be aware of and learn more about the wet season, which can bring heavy rainfall and flooding.
It comes as the BoM predicts a very high chance of showers, with rainfall tipped to range between 10 and 50mm in Darwin on Christmas Day.
Read on to find out what's in store for the other states and territories.
Here's what the weather will be like on Christmas Day around the country's capital cities:
Sydney
Sydneysiders can expect a mostly sunny day after areas of fog in the early morning clear.
A slight chance of a shower in the west in the afternoon but near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the outer west in the afternoon. Light winds becoming NE 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has predicted a high of 30C.
Melbourne
Melbourne residents are in for a cloudy morning, becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon, before cloud increases again in the evening.
Slight (20 per cent) chance of light drizzle in the northwest suburbs in the evening. Light winds becoming southerly 20 to 30 km/h in the morning.
Temperatures ranging between 15C - 21C
Brisbane
Partly cloudy in Brisbane with a high (80 per cent) chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon with the chance of a thunderstorm.
Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h early in the morning then tending east to southeasterly in the morning.
Temperatures will top out at 28C.
Perth
Perth is in store for a very hot and sunny day, with a possible top of 43C. This could become the hottest Christmas Day on record.
Winds easterly 35 to 50 km/h tending northeast to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day. Gusts to 85 km/h are possible about the hills and foothills in the morning.
People spending time outdoors are urged to take sun protection measures.
Adelaide
A cloudy morning is expected in Adelaide, clearing to a mostly sunny afternoon with a top of 27C predicted.
No rain on the forecast and with the sunny weather, sun protection is recommended with the UV Index predicted to reach 'Extreme'.
Winds south to southeasterly 20 to 35 km/h, gusty about the hills and southern suburbs early morning then again in the evening. Afternoon sea breezes near the coast reaching 25 to 40 km/h.
Darwin
Showers and possible storms are predicted for Darwin on Christmas Day.
There is a very high chance (near 100 per cent) chance of showers, with 45-60mm predicted as well as the chance of a thunderstorm, according to the BoM.
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Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending east to northeasterly 25 to 40 km/h in the early afternoon.
Temperatures are expected to reach 30C.
The BoM is asking residents in the Top End to learn about the impacts of monsoonal weather, as the chance of it increases.
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Hobart
Hobart will be a little cooler than many states and territories with a possible high of 21C.
Residents can expect a partly cloudy day for Christmas, with a slight chance (30 per cent) of a shower in the morning. Winds will tend west to northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h.
Canberra
The nation's capital can expect a partly cloudy day with a chance of fog in the early morning.
A medium (50 per cent) chance of light showers in the afternoon and early evening as well as the chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and early evening, possibly severe.
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Light winds and a top of 30C is forecast.
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