Great Southern in for hot streak before a cool change to ring in the new year

The Great Southern is set for a sizzling end to 2021 before a cool change to ring in the new year.

Maximum temperatures ranged from the mid-20s to the mid-30s across the region on Christmas Day, with 35.8C at Newdegate among the highest.

Katanning reached a top of 34.3C just after 3pm.

That was relatively mild compared to the 42.8C maximum in Perth and 47.3C Christmas Day scorcher in Geraldton.

However, temperatures are set to rise over the next few days, with Katanning forecast to top 40C on Wednesday for only the second time this year.

The hottest day of 2021 so far for the town was 40.9C on January 9.

After several days in the high-30s, the maximum is expected to drop to 26C on New Year’s Day.

KATANNING SEVEN-DAY FORECAST

Sunday — 15C / 38C (very hot and sunny)

Monday — 17C / 36C (partly cloudy, chance of a shower)

Tuesday — 16C / 38C (mostly sunny)

Wednesday — 17C / 40C (very hot and sunny)

Thursday — 16C / 37C (partly cloudy)

Friday — 13C / 31C (partly cloudy)

Saturday — 11C / 26C (partly cloudy, chance of a shower)