New Year’s Eve 2023: Cool and dry conditions forecasted

Victorians are in for a dry and cool New Year’s Eve weekend, but for those heading interstate, severe thunderstorms are expected to lash parts of eastern Australia.

Victorians can expect dry and cool conditions this New Year’s Eve. Picture: Mark Stewart

Victorians can expect dry and cool conditions this New Year’s Eve, with clear skies allowing for optimal firework viewing.

Forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology show December 31 in Melbourne is tipped to reach 21C, with a low of 13C and partly cloudy conditions.

Southerly winds reaching 25 km/h are also expected during the evening.

New Year’s Day is expected to be a “pearler” with a top of 25C and mostly sunny conditions.

There is the chance of morning fog in Melbourne about the nearby hills.

In Mornington Peninsula and across the bay in Portarlington, temperatures will be slightly cooler with a top of 19C and 20C on Sunday and 22C on Monday respectively.

But for Victorians heading interstate, thunderstorms and showers are expected to lash the east coast as the new year approaches.

Forecasts show showers should clear across Sydney in time for December 31 celebrations, but are likely to linger in Brisbane throughout the evening.

There is also a chance of more severe thunderstorms developing across northeast New South Wales and southeast Queensland over Saturday and Sunday.

Senior meteorologist Lincoln Trainor said the days leading up to New Year’s Eve will be “relatively cool”.

“We’ll see cooler temperatures and mild conditions across southern Victoria including Melbourne, Mornington and the Bellarine,” he said.

Melbourne will reach just 18C on Saturday, with cloudy conditions and chance of a shower.

“New Year’s Eve will be partly cloudy, with sunny breaks for Melbourne, which is great news,” Mr Trainor said.

“It will be a cool 21C but it will be dry and Melbourne should have a mostly clear night which is great for fireworks.”

He said temperatures would start to warm on New Year’s Day as winds turn more south-easterly on Monday and Tuesday.

“The 1st will be a pearler of a day, beautiful weather,” he said.

“Tuesday is also set to reach 24C in Melbourne but as the south-easterly sets in so there is a slight chance of a shower and afternoon storm.”