Thousands of Australians planning to spend Christmas Day basking in sunshine will be bitterly disappointed with the early weather outlook.
December 25 in Sydney is shaping up to be cooler than usual, with rain and thunderstorms expected throughout the day.
Initial forecasts, released by AccuWeather, suggest the maximum temperature will be about 26C with an expected low of 18C.
Around 8mm of rain is predicted to fall, while Boxing Day could be even wetter with nearly 20mm expected.
Thousands of Australians planning to spend Christmas Day basking in sunshine will be bitterly disappointed with the early weather outlook
December 25 in Sydney is shaping up to be cooler than usual, with rain and thunderstorms expected throughout the day
Beachgoers Tara O’Sullivan and Tomek Juszczyk pose for selfie photos as they spend Christmas Day on Bondi Beach last year
Further south, Canberra is set for warmer weather with tops of 28C, but thunderstorms could bring substantial rain to the nation’s capital in the afternoon.
Melbourne won’t be basking in sunshine either if the early predictions are correct, with plenty of cloud expected throughout Christmas Day.
But celebrations shouldn’t be dampened by rain, and temperatures look set to reach the high 20s.
Hobart looks set for a cool and cloudy day – but should avoid rain – while the early predictions suggest Adelaide will stay dry with a below average maximum of 24C.
In Sydney, around 8mm of rain is predicted to fall on December 25, while Boxing Day will be even wetter with nearly 20mm expected. Pictured, a grey summer day in the Harbour City on Saturday
Beachgoers are pictured at Bondi during a precious expats Christmas Day celebration
Sydney’s Botanical Gardens flooded on Wednesday, as experts warn of a wet summer ahead
No rain is expected in Perth with temperatures around the mid-20s and Darwin should be typically hot with afternoon thunderstorms.
Brisbane may see the best of the weather for Australia’s major cities with a fine and sunny day expected and a top of 28C.
Experts have noted the predictions could change with nearly three weeks to go until Christmas Day.
The Bureau of Meteorology said it will be a wetter summer than usual across the country thanks to a La Nina weather system developing in the Pacific Ocean.
A group of travellers from the UK poses for photographs as they spend Christmas Day on Bondi Beach last year
A wetter summer than usual is expected across the country thanks to a La Nina weather system developing in the Pacific Ocean. Pictured, Melbourne cops on downpour on Saturday
Experts have noted the predictions could change with nearly three weeks to go until Christmas Day
La Ninas usually bring cloud and above-average rainfalls with them, with the last one stretching from 2010 into 2012 when Australia had its wettest two years on record.
But the bureau says the latest La Nina will be weak and short-lived.
‘La Nina typically brings above average rainfall to eastern Australia during late spring and summer,’ the bureau said.
‘However, sea surface temperature patterns in the Indian Ocean and closer to Australia are not typical of a La Nina event, reducing the likelihood of widespread above average summer rainfall.
Sydneysiders may not see a repeat of last year’s basking sunshine (pictured) on Christmas Day
Australians and visiting tourists have grown accustomed to scorching days on December 25
Brisbane (pictured in the wet on Monday) may see the best of the weather for Australia’s major cities with a fine and sunny day expected and a top of 28C on Christmas Day
‘La Nina can also increase the chance of prolonged warm spells for southeast Australia.’
The bureau had put itself on La Nina watch in recent months after noticing an increase in the chances of one developing this summer.
La Nina occurs when waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean cool and push warmer water towards Australia, bringing cloud and and above-average rainfall.
In an update released on Tuesday, the bureau said signs of La Nina in the tropical Pacific Ocean had increased during spring, with trade winds and cloud patterns also showing clear La Nina patterns.