Christmas Day weather forecast: possible rain in eastern states but extreme heat in Western Australia

Sydney can expect showers and a top of 23C, Melbourne a chilly 17C and Brisbane a balmy 34C

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Melbourne is set for a cool and windy Christmas, while rain is forecast in Sydney and Perth is set for a scorcher.

Forecast rain is dampening the risk of bushfires on Christmas Day for most capital cities, but parts of the nation will be on heatwave alert.