Temperatures to rise before a start to the New Year

Temperatures are expected to climb again following the Christmas reprieve, ahead of some rainy days to see out 2020.

The weather has been kind to southeast Queensland over the Christmas period, with mostly clear skies and the mercury hovering in the late 20s - but that’s about to change.

Temperatures are expected to rise from the late 20s back into the 30s from Monday, while beach holidays could be cut short from Wednesday when the wet weather sets in.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Kimba Wong said there could be a shower or two around the Granite Belt and Fraser Island on Sunday but rain was expected to develop mid-week for the rest of the southeast corner.

She said Central and North Queensland were experiencing healthy rainfall and this was expected to spread west today and tomorrow.

🌈 A colourful map of 7 day rainfall totals, and more wet weather to come... Expecting showers and storms in the north to spread into the southwest on Monday then eastward through the week.
Latest rainfall observations and river conditions: https://t.co/TzCBS6ngKO pic.twitter.com/bo2qWBKsWI

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 26, 2020

Conditions in Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are expected to remain mostly sunny on Sunday with a top of 29C.

Come New Year’s Eve there is an 80 per cent chance of rain across the southeast, with up to 30mm forecast on the Sunshine Coast.

The warm weather enticed many Aussie cricket fans down to the beaches on Saturday as the Boxing Day Test match played in the background.

The Peterson family from Currumbin celebrate their annual Boxing Day Test at Currumbin beach. Eadie, 10, Mabel, 6, Jack, 16, Ruby, 12, Hugh, 11, Finn, 9, Wes, 7, Will, 13 and Elkie Peterson, 8. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

The Gold Coast’s Currumbin Beach was the scene of one of many such games as the local Peterson family set the sand alight with some big hits and classic catches.

“The kids love their cricket and it’s a perfect day for it, with plenty of sunshine and a nice sea breeze,” said Tara Peterson, mum of Mabel and Eadie, 10.