‘Record’ heat: Horror forecast for Boxing Day Test revealed

Cricket fans are set to swelter through the annual Boxing Day Test amid a warning Melbourne could hit “record” heat.

Bureau of Meteorology Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said Melbourne could reach a new weather record on the Boxing Day Test.

“A very hot Boxing Day for large parts of the country,” Mr Hines said.

“Melbourne could be the warmest day for the first day of the Boxing Day test that we’ve seen on record.”

Melbourne is currently tipped to hit 39C on Boxing Day, with those flocking to the MCG for the test likely to need lots of sunscreen.

Watching the clash between Australia and India is a holiday staple among families across the country, with tickets to the first day having sold out earlier this month.

Sydney is set to hit a high 30C on the day of the iconic match, with Brisbane forecast for a top of 29C followed by 26C in Perth, 36C in Adelaide, 29C in Hobart, 36C in Canberra, and 35C in Darwin.

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Parts of Western Australia including the Pilbara and the Gascoyne region could reach up to 46C over the next few days.

Mr Hines said temperatures in WA were tipped to soar between 10C and 15C higher than usual for this time of year over the coming days.

“Saturday, Sunday, Monday are all looking to be above average for western parts of the state,” Mr Hines said.

“Temperatures in the high 30s to mid 40s across large parts of WA.

“In Perth the temperature is 38C today, 40C and 41C over next couple days, whereas for parts of the interior north temperatures could be even warmer — potentially as high as 46C around Marble Bar.”

Marble Bar is set to hit 46C on Saturday right through to Christmas Eve, with temperatures only briefly dropping down to 45C on Monday.

Pannawonica is set to hit 45C on Sunday right through to Christmas Eve, while Mount Augustus is tipped to reach 45C on Saturday. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before dropping down to 43C on Christmas.

Perth is expected to be a little cooler with a top of 41C on Sunday.

Mr Hines said other parts of Australia are in for a “reasonably warm weekend”, with NSW set to hit temperatures in the low 30s across much of the state.

However Mr Hines said there will be a “cooler change” between Saturday and Christmas.

“Much cooler weather for Tasmania, Victoria, NSW an ACT just for a round about a day and a half as that cold front comes through,” he said.

“By Tuesday afternoon, which is Christmas Eve … temperatures are starting to climb again.

“By Christmas Day we’re seeing those temperatures really start to build and spike in southern parts of the country.”

Temperatures in South Australia could hit as high as 15C above average over the coming days with temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s.

Sydney is tipped to reach 29C on Saturday while Melbourne is set to hit 21C.

Brisbane is expected to hit a high of 31C, while Perth is set to hit 38C.

Adelaide can expect a top of 28C, while Hobart is set to hit 20C.

Canberra is set to hit 34C, with Darwin expected to hit the same high despite the potential for thunderstorms.