Stormy Christmas for some as Perth set to swelter

Indigenous communities in northern WA could be in for a stormy Christmas as Tropical Cyclone Grant bears down on the region.

The cyclone formed on Tuesday morning as a category one system, about 400km east of the Cocos islands in the Indian Ocean.

Meteorologists are unsure where it might find land but it could be late on Christmas Day or on Boxing Day.

Destructive wind gusts of up to 130 kph are expected near the islands.

And heavy rainfall could also lead to flash flooding.

The Kimberley region in the far north of the State will see thunderstorms with the mercury hitting 32 in Wyndham and Kununurra. Broome will also see high temperatures mixed with showers and a possible thunderstorm.

But further south Geraldton and the Midwest will be experiencing a scorching 41 on Christmas Day.

Perth will also swelter in similar temperatures.

In the Territory Darwin’s run of wet weather will continue over Christmas Day and Boxing Day, very humid and a max of 32 degrees.

Sydney’s beaches will experience a mild Christmas.

Sydney may also see some rain with mild temperatures of 23 degrees on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Brisbane will be typically balmy for this time of year with an expected top of 33 and Melbourne will be cool, with cloudy skies, the possibility of showers and only 18 degrees.

Down In Tassie Hobart will experience the coolest temperatures of all the capital cities on Christmas Day — a top of just 15 degrees.

And finally in Canberra, where there is usually so much hot air. There is a slight chance of a shower or two with temps reading a 27C maximum.