Scorching heat for west coast but cooler, damper conditions in south east

The east coast-west coast weather split continues today, with temperatures expected to hit 40C in Perth while there will be cooler, damper conditions for south eastern parts.

A monsoon trough and low are generating heavy rain, storms and gusty winds in the northern tropics.

A trough is causing showers and storms over other parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland. A weak front is bringing the odd light shower to the southeast of Australia.

Heat will continue over western parts of Western Australia today. The mercury is likely to nudge 40C again in Perth.

In contrast, Sydney will experience another cloudy day with much cooler temperatures.

Here's your state-by-state forecast for Wednesday, December 23, 2020:

New South Wales and ACT

A low pressure trough is currently over central parts of the state. A ridge of high pressure extends across the south of the state as a few coastal showers will fall today and tomorrow.

Today will be partly cloudy and the chance of a shower or two in the far north and east. They will reach the Central Coast late in the evening. Dry and mostly sunny in the west.

Sydney will have a maximum temperature of 27C and Canberra 26C.

Queensland

A slight to medium chance of showers and thunderstorms, increasing to a high to very high chance in central and northern districts.

Showers tending to patchy rain across the centre of the state. A risk of locally heavy falls in the central interior.

Brisbane is heading for a maximum temperature of 28C, Cairns 34C and Sunshine Coast 27C.

Victoria

A cool to mild day, partly cloudy in the south and sunny in the north. Isolated light morning showers in the south.

Moderate south to southwesterly winds with afternoon sea breezes in Gippsland.

There is a high fire danger warning for northern parts of the state.

Melbourne can expect a maximum of 19C.

Tasmania

Showers about the west and south, extending over central, southern and northeastern areas for a period in the afternoon and early evening.

Fine about the north and Furneaux Islands. West to southwesterly winds, although lighter and more variable about the upper east coast.

Hobart will have a top of 18C.

South Australia

Fine apart from a slight chance of showers near southern coasts early morning, and near the far northeastern border.

Mild to warm, grading to warm to hot in the northwest. Mainly moderate south to southeasterly winds.

Adelaide will have a maximum of 26C.

Western Australia

Temperatures are rising along the west coast as the low pressure trough lingers.

Showers and thunderstorms over the Kimberley, northern Interior and far north Pilbara. A chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm over the South Coastal and South West districts and the adjacent Great Southern.

Perth will have a top of 40C.

Northern Territory

Cool and cloudy in the south with a medium to high chance of rain in the Simpson and northern Lasseter District.

Significant stream and creek rises may persist across central and southern districts. Mostly sunny in the southern Lasseter District.

A medium to high chance of showers and thunderstorm elsewhere,

A maximum temperature of 32C for Darwin.

- Reported with Weatherzone and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.