Skies will be sunny over most of Australia for Christmas with warm temperatures forecast for barbeques and pool party across much of the country.
But some on the east coast will have to lay out their ham and turkey across the dinner table with downpours expected in Brisbane, Darwin and the northern NSW coast.
Christmas morning looks very gloomy in Sydney with totally overcast skies and a few earlier showers, but the rain should be held at bay by afternoon, although there is little chance of much sun.
Beach bum: People were enjoying the sun at Bondi on Sunday morning
Selfie time: The sunny weather made for some great snaps
The farther north you get, the worse weather you’re likely to get, with rain hitting everything north of Newcastle by afternoon and storms developing in Brisbane by evening.
It’s not all gloom in Brisbane as daytime should be mostly sunny, so enjoy the 34C temperatures outdoors while you can.
Melbourne also looks a bit gloomy this morning but that won’t last long as the clouds should clear by lunchtime with a comfortable top of 22C.
Hobart residents also need to enjoy the fine weather while it lasts with a maximum of 21C forecast for the day but rain expected by evening.
Sydneysiders were gifted an early Christmas present on Sunday morning with sunny conditions across the city
People flocked to Bondi Beach as temperatures climbed to above 30C before lunchtime
But the perfect conditions will be short lived with storms predicted across the city on Sunday afternoon, and continuing on Christmas Day
Elsewhere in Australia will have comparatively scorching temperatures but little chance of rain, like Adelaide where the mercury will hit 29C but without a cloud in the sky.
Perth will as usual have hot and dry conditions, hitting 33C while being completely sunny, with much higher temperatures farther north pushing into the 40s.
Huge parts of the Northern Territory and North Queensland will feel the heat with maximums of up to 42C, but northern WA will have the hottest days with Paraburdoo hitting 45C.
Darwin will be a comparatively chilly 30C, but with wet season in full swing can expect a rainy Christmas with showers likely developing into thunderstorms.
It has been one of the warmest years on record, with many parts of Australia reaching 40C heat earlier in December, but the weather looks to be a mostly gloomy affair for Sydney and Brisbane on Christmas Day.
‘It’s going to be a beautiful day for many parts of the country, probably one of the most stable and quietest weather days we’ve seen for most, not all, parts of the country,’ senior forecaster Dean Narramore said.
Cooling off: Bondi Beach was packed on Sunday morning
Santa Selfie: These two were seen enjoying the sunshine at Bondi Beach
Beach-goers were seen eating water melon, bathing in the sun and cooling off in the water
Christmas Eve at Bondi was a festive affair
Lifeguards got into the Christmas spirit with some wearing hats and reindeer ears
Bondi Beach was the perfect place to spend Christmas Eve- until it started raining!
People flocked to the beach as temperatures soared above 30C
Sydneysiders soaked up the sun on Sunday morning
While most of the country will enjoy a spectacularly sunny day on December 25, the sunshine will struggle to peak through the clouds and intermittent showers across NSW and Queensland (Pictured is Sydney)
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a quiet Christmas with generally fine weather across much of the country, however most cities are set for a bumper Christmas Eve (Sydney pictured)
He said showers and thunderstorms are expected for the area between Sydney (pictured) and Brisbane, the Top End and the Kimberley Coast
Sydney (pictured) will experience light showers and mostly cloudy weather for much of the day, reaching a top of only 22C
The weather looks to be a mostly gloomy affair for Sydney and Brisbane (pictured) on Christmas Day
‘It’s going to be a beautiful day for many parts of the country, probably one of the most stable and quietest weather days we’ve seen for most, not all, parts of the country,’ senior forecaster Dean Narramore said (Brisbane pictured)
However Christmas Eve in Sydney (pictured) will be a scorcher with tops of 34C and a small chance of thunderstorms
Mr Narramore said the temperature will warm up mid-week in much of southeast Australia before the next ‘weather maker’ moves through on Thursday into Friday, which could result in some showers and storms.
It is too early to predict the weather for New Year’s Eve, he added.
Senior climatologist Dr Andrew Watkins said Sydney and Brisbane should be a little cooler than normal during January, while Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth are looking a little warmer.
Senior climatologist Dr Andrew Watkins said Sydney and Brisbane should be a little cooler than normal during January, while Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth are looking a little warmer (Stock image)
The following two days in Melbourne (pictured) will be a welcome change from the heavy rains which battered the region this week
‘We’re looking at some warmer conditions through southeastern Australia and also in the southwest as well – warmer days but also unfortunately a few warmer nights, a bit more uncomfortable for sleeping,’ Dr Watkins said.
‘In terms of rainfall, possibly a little wetter through NSW and Queensland, particularly in the eastern half of the state, but elsewhere the odds aren’t really strongly swinging towards a wetter or drier January.’
Dr Watkins said Australia is experiencing La Nina conditions, but nowhere near as strong as the last La Nina in 2010-12 that caused widespread flooding rain over January.
He said 2017 is expected to have been among the top five warmest years on record for Australia, and in the top 10 for NSW, Queensland, Victoria and possibly South Australia.
Annual rainfall will have been close to average.