GET ready to swelter — a top of 40C is now forecast for Christmas Day in Adelaide amid predictions of a heatwave for the state over the festive period.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting five days over 35C, including 40C on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

There’s a chance of a shower on Boxing Day and December 27 — but that day still carries a forecast of 37C.

The Bureau also says heatwave conditions are looming across the southeast of Australia.

A heatwave occurs when three or more days of high maximum and minimum temperatures hit that are unusual for that location.

The forecast for Adelaide this week

December 21: 26C — cloud clearing

December 22: 31C — sunny

December 23: 36C — partly cloudy

December 24: 37C — sunny

December 25: 40C — partly cloudy

December 26: 40C — small chance of possible showers

December 27: 37C — showers

Forecast updated - Now tipping a scorching 40°C in #Adelaide Xmas Day! The hottest since 1945 when it was 40.1°C https://t.co/UzerF0BPI8 pic.twitter.com/M228KlbQ0D — BOM South Australia (@BOM_SA) December 20, 2016

A Severe heatwave is set to develop over southeastern SA this Christmas period. Details on the heatwave service at: https://t.co/vxCzv4flUR pic.twitter.com/zsJTiKIPWG — BOM South Australia (@BOM_SA) December 20, 2016

Total fire bans are looking more than likely, which could hit people’s Christmas barbie plans.

The Country Fire Service has already warned solid-fuel barbies will be banned if total fire bans are declared on Christmas Day, and it’s already too late to get a permit from the CFS.

Electric or gas-fired barbies would be allowed but only under very strict conditions.



Those in districts where a fire ban is not called will be allowed to use solid fuel barbecues without a permit.

CFS director of preparedness operations, Leigh Miller, said gas and electric cookers could still be used on a total fire ban day if they were within 15m of a house, had a 4m clearance around them and a responsible person was on hand to extinguish any fire.

Adelaide’s Lunchtime Newsbyte 21/12/16 Adelaide’s Lunchtime Newsbyte 21/12/16

Mr Miller said any total fire bans for Christmas Day would be announced after 4pm on Saturday, Christmas Eve.

Information on the bans will be available on the CFS website, cfs.sa.gov.au.

“In the meantime we encourage people to think about alternatives, such as cooking with gas or electricity,” Mr Miller said.

Mr Miller said to obtain a permit, people will now need to contact their local council but should bear in mind that offices may be short-staffed leading up to Christmas so it may not be possible to process all applications.