Brisbane weather: Warm, sunny conditions in Christmas week
It’s finally time to dig out the sunscreen and stubby coolers, as it shapes up to be a warm Christmas in the Sunshine State.
QLD weather news
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD weather news. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The week leading up to Christmas will be warm and sunny, with partly cloudy skies and medium to high temperatures forecast throughout South East Queensland.
Any remaining potential for rain will likely clear on Saturday, with possible light showers arriving in the morning or afternoon, bringing maximum falls of just 1-2mm.
Temperatures are expected to sit comfortably in the mid-20s throughout the week, with tops of 27C in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast on Thursday, and 26C on the Gold Coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Patch Clapp said most of the state would see cooler-than-average daytime temperatures during the first half of the week, before conditions warmed slightly on Thursday and Friday in time for Christmas.
“We’re expecting much of the southern half of the country, including South East Queensland, to see cooler than average daytime temperatures in the middle of the week and then warming up Thursday and Friday,” Mr Clapp said.
“Generally speaking, that's the broad picture for the where the remainder of the month is sitting.”
The bureau will release its official Christmas weather forecast on Monday.
Gold Coast mother Michelle Frampton hoped to enjoy Christmas outdoors this year.
“We love going to Wavebreak Island, boating and just being out in the sun and enjoying the warm weather,” Ms Frampton said.
“I’d love to be outdoors for Christmas too, it would be great to see this weather again next weekend.”
Inland parts of the state will feel slightly warmer next week, with the potential for storms in most central and western towns between Monday and Wednesday.
Ipswich is forecast to reach a maximum of 30C on Thursday with tops of 37C in Boulia and Bedourie and 38C in Birdsville and Urandangi.
Heatwave conditions will also continue in Far North Queensland, but temperatures are expected to drop dramatically ahead of Christmas due to renewed rainfall.
“Those northern coastal areas will keep seeing some rain into next week and that, along with some extra cloud cover, the heat is easing right back,” Mr Clapp said.
“Cairns will get down to 30C by Monday and Burketown will get to about 36C, so after a long run of being in the forties that's some degree of relief.”
CURRENT TEMPS & 7-DAY FORECASTS
Move to higher ground: Brisbane emergency alert, dangerous storm incoming, 145mm in 3 hours
Residents in one part of Brisbane have been told to prepare to move to higher ground as the dangerous aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred continues, with emergency alerts issued, major flood warnings in place and a severe storm warning current. LATEST
Total blackout: More than 206k SEQ properties still without power
More than 206,000 homes and businesses across South East Queensland remain without power, and it could take a fortnight to restore the hardest hit areas.