The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest forecast suggests the South Coast will experience a roller coaster of weather conditions in the lead up to December 25.

A hot start to this week is set to make way for cooler conditions on Thursday and Friday, ahead of a warmer and mostly-dry weekend.

However, those planning festivities outside on Monday – Christmas Day – may need to pack a brolly, with showers expected later in the day.

A top of 37 degrees is expected in Nowra on Christmas Eve, 34 in Batemans Bay and 31 in Bega thanks to warm west to northwesterly winds. 

However, relief from the heat should arrive early on Christmas morning – when Santa delivers a gift from Mother Nature, in the form of a cool change.

Those west to northwesterly winds should turn southerly late on Christmas Eve, dropping temperatures by up to 15 degrees in some areas.

There’s also the chance of a thunderstorm late on December 24. 

At this stage, Nowra, Batemans Bay and Bega can expect a some showers on Christmas Day, with temperatures in the low 20s.

Meanwhile, the region is currently in the midst of a “severe heatwave”.

The mercury is due to climb to 30 degrees in Wollongong and 34 at Albion Park on Tuesday. 

At 11.30am it was 30.9 degrees at Nowra, 27.0 degrees in Albion Park and 24.5 at Bellambi.

The warmth will hang around on Wednesday, before a southerly change arrives during the afternoon.

The cool change, which also brings with it the chance of a storm, will drop the temperatures to the low 20s on Thursday.  

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