Australia's Christmas 2023 Weather Forecast: City-by-City Breakdown and What to Expect

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While we might imagine a Christmas in Australia to involve the beach, an outdoor barbecue and perfect sunny conditions, the weather gods don’t always play ball.

Still, we can spend days — if not weeks — anticipating whether we’ll have the sunny Christmas Day of our dreams, or if plans will need to shift indoors thanks to cold and wet conditions.

Thankfully, ponder no more. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has released its Christmas Day forecast across Australia’s capital cities this year.

Curious about what Christmas will bring to your city this year? Here’s the weather forecast you need to stay prepared and plan your festivities accordingly.

In Sydney, residents can expect a partly cloudy Christmas Day with a moderate chance of showers. Winds will start from the south at 15 to 20 km/h, shifting to the southeast and picking up speed to 20 to 30 km/h as the morning progresses.

On the other hand, Melbourne is in for a cooler Christmas. The skies will be cloudy with a slight possibility of showers. Winds will blow from the southwest at 15 to 25 km/h, gradually turning southerly as the day unfolds.

These forecasts should help you plan whether you’re staying in or heading out to celebrate the holiday. Stay tuned to SBS News for any updates or changes to your local weather conditions.

A graphic showing the temperature in Sydney on Christmas Day.

Sydney’s forecast for Christmas Day. Source: SBS News

Melbourne

Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h, turning southerly during the day.

Melbourne can expect a cool Christmas. Source: SBS News

Brisbane

Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.

Brisbane’s Christmas Day forecast. Source: SBS News

Perth

Mostly sunny. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h, shifting west to northwesterly during the day.

Perth is looking at a Christmas scorcher. Source: SBS News

Adelaide

Cloud clearing. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h.

Adelaide’s forecast for Christmas Day. Source: SBS News

Canberra

Sunny. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.

Warm and sunny for Canberra. Source: SBS News

Hobart

Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds westerly 25 to 35 km/h.

Hobart’s weather forecast for Christmas Day. Source: SBS News

Darwin

Cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h.

How the Christmas forecast is shaping for Darwin. Source: SBS News

The forecast might change as it gets closer to 25 December, the BoM noted.

Despite Australia experiencing a “weak” La Niña — which usually brings cold and wet conditions — the BoM’s long-range forecast, released late last month, has predicted a hotter and drier summer than usual.

Rainfall is likely to be below average and temperatures are likely to be above average across most of Australia.

There will also be an increased fire risk across parts of Australia this summer, according to The Australian and New Zealand Council for Fire and Emergency Services.