Wet weather could dampen Christmas Day celebrations across Australia this year – with only some states expected to ring in the festivities with sunshine.
The Bureau of Meteology has released its forecast for December 25, revealing a mixed bag of thunderstorms, flash flooding and blue skies.
Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said whether to eat outside on Christmas Day will depend on where you live.
Indoor celebrations are in favour for most of the Northern Territory and parts of Western Australia where showers and thunderstorms are expected.
Those down south are likely to enjoy fine and sunny weather, ideal for barbecues and backyard cricket, he said.
Here’s the forecast where you’ll be spending December 25.
Wet weather is likely to impact celebrations across Australia on Christmas Day but some states are bracing for festivities in the sunshine (pictured: tourists wear Santa hats at Bondi Beach on Christmas 2019)
FORECASTS BY STATE/TERRITORY
Western Australia
Perth can expect a hot lead-up to Christmas with severe heat wave conditions possible as temperatures approach 40C.
By Christmas Day, the weather will cool slightly and peak in the low 30s.
‘A beautiful beach day, with just the chance of a shower here or there,’ Mr Narramore told ABC News.
Meanwhile, monsoonal conditions are expected to continue in the north of the state.
The weather bureau has released its forecast for December 25, revealing a mixed bag of thunderstorms, flash flooding and blue skies
South Australia
Blue skies and sunshine are expected in the south, with temperatures forecast to reach the mid to high 20s.
It could get even hotter in Adelaide, with a maximum forecast of 34C on Christmas Day.
In the north of the state temperatures will remain high and the region could face showers and thunderstorms.
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Indoor celebrations are in favour for most of the Northern Territory and parts of Western Australia where showers and thunderstorms are expected (pictued: a couple watches the storm at Byron Bay in NSW)
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting good beach weather in Perth on Christmas Day
Victoria
Victorians will wake up to a ‘fresh’ start in the morning, warming to a comfortable afternoon in the low 20s.
The mild weather will continue into the next day for the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Tasmania
In a similar vein to Victorian temperaturesm it will remain cooler in Tasmania with Hobart ‘flirting’ with 20C and mostly fine.
New South Wales/the Australian Capital Territory
Showers and thunderstorms are expected in eastern parts but ‘it won’t be washout’.
Residents west of the Great Dividing Range can expect warmth and sun.
While Sydney and Canberra could see Christmas Day reach the high 20s.
A large high pressure system on the east coast should be good news for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race – permitting a Covid-19 outbreak doesn’t impact the event.
Wet weather is set to continue across the Sunshine state heading into the festive season, with rain and storms forecast for most regions (pictured two girls struggle against the wind and rain on the Gold Coast on December 13)
Queensland
Wet weather is set to continue across the Sunshine state heading into the festive season, with rain and storms forecast for most regions.
Brisbane can expect Christmas in the mid 20s with showers and possible storms.
While thunderstorms in other parts of the state could burden areas with already saturated river systems.
‘Flooding is definitely a concern, particularly where these storms form over already saturated creeks and river systems,’ Mr Narramore said.
Northern Territory
Darwin will see typical tropical weather with about 20C and thunderstorms expected.
Across the rest of the territory, including the Kimberly region, residents will likely see widespread heavy rainfall and flooding up to Christmas.
The forecast is being severely impacted by the La Nina weather pattern, bringing higher than average rainfall to much of Australia over December
In Alice Springs it will be warm and sunny on the 25th.
The forecast is being severely impacted by the La Nina weather pattern, bringing higher than average rainfall to much of Australia.
The dramatic wet weather was seen in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales over the weekend, with flash flooding likely to threaten homes for several days in a ‘once in 100 year’ storm.
These brave swimmers ignored the closed beach signs at Burleigh Heads on Sunday (pictured) which saw huge swells batter the coastline
Byron Bay’s Main Beach was one of the major casualties of the first La Nina rain storm of the season, with the popular spot completely washed away by the high tide.
The dangerous surf conditions didn’t faze the bravest of swimmers and surfers who ignored closed beach signs and pleas from Surf Life Saving Queensland to stay out of the water, eager to make the most of the five metre waves on the Gold Coast.
A staggering 500mm worth of rain was dumped on Australia’s east coast over the weekend, with more than 600 calls being made to the State Emergency Services for help to get through flood waters.
The weather bureau has released its forecast for December 25, revealing a mixed bag of thunderstorms, flash flooding and blue skies
