Issued: Monday, 18 December 2023.
A stormy Christmas Day is possible for much of eastern Australia, but some fine weather is forecast across other states and territories.
With Christmas still a week away, the forecast is subject to change, however Australia can start preparing for the festive season with the likely weather in mind.
Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are likely for much of central and northern Queensland. Southeast Queensland, including Brisbane, is likely to avoid the highest chance of storm, but this is still an area to watch.
Further down the coast, an onshore wind looks to bring partly or mostly cloudy conditions to much of coastal New South Wales, including Sydney, with some showers likely and some storms possible. We may see one or two of these showers reach inland as far as Canberra – although rain looks reasonably unlikely for the nation's capital.
Hobart and Melbourne will both be subject to southeasterly winds, bringing areas of cloud and cooler-than-average temperatures. Showers remain possible, especially in the morning, but hopefully clearing to brighter and drier conditions in the afternoon.
Adelaide should see some sunshine this Christmas day, but an early southeast wind could mean a cool and cloudy start for Christmas morning.
A low-pressure system is brewing for inland Western Australia. At the current time, it looks to be sufficiently far away from Perth, although some showers and storms over the interior look likely. This is another area to watch closely.
Some afternoon showers and storms are likely across northern Western Australia, but at this stage they look to be sparsely spread with plenty of fine weather in the mix too.
The Northern Territory can expect some seasonal afternoon showers and storms around Darwin, although the risk of any Christmas impacts due to the remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper look very unlikely.
Take a more detailed look at what to expect across each capital city on Christmas Day (25 December 2023).
Sydney: Cloudy, with a high chance of showers. Southeasterly winds of 15 to 25 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and maximum temperature of 26 degrees Celsius.
Canberra: Partly cloudy, with a medium chance of showers. Easterlies of 15 to 25 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius.
Brisbane: Partly cloudy, with a high chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm. A minimum temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius.
Darwin: Partly cloudy, with a chance afternoon shower or thunderstorm. A minimum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 36 degrees Celsius.
Perth: Partly cloudy, northeasterlies of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 21 degree Celsius and a maximum temperature of 32 degree Celsius.
Adelaide: Partly cloudy, southeasterlies of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius and maximum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius.
Melbourne: Partly Cloudy, with the chance of a shower. Southerlies of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius.
Hobart: Cloudy, with the chance of a shower. Southerly winds of 15 to 25 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.
Individuals are encouraged to keep up to date with changes and updates to the forecast over the coming days.
Stay up to date with the latest via the Bureau's website www.bom.gov.au or the BOM Weather App.
