Wet and soggy Christmas predicted for most of Australia

Millions of Aussies may need to forget about throwing another shrimp on the barbie, as forecasters deliver the sad news about Christmas Day.

Many Aussies will be having a wet and soggy Christmas this year, with the prediction of more stormy weather.

Instead of a beach, BBQ and beer day of festivities, you might have to crack out the card games and hot chocolate this festive season, as cooler temperatures will cover most of the country.

More rain, large hailstones and damaging winds are predicted to hit the majority of eastern Australia.

Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe said Australians could expect about 50-100mm of rainfall to be dumped in the eastern areas.

“South East Queensland will be soggy on Friday, easing on Saturday before ramping back up on Sunday into Christmas Eve,” he said

As many as four capital cities could see a soggy Christmas this year.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to slam South East Queensland and northern NSW on Thursday, but Sydneysiders can expect the rain to ease as the day continues.

“On the Christmas long weekend, showers and thunderstorms will focus in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory,” Mr Sharpe said.

“Potential for most of our major capitals, with Brisbane and Sydney to be the wet ones.”

In the lead-up to the big day, cities around Australian have been experiencing rainfall, hailstones and damaging winds.

Christmas around the capital cities

Before you start cancelling your outdoor Christmas plans, meteorologists recommend checking the weather closer to the day, as things can change.

The Bureau of Meteorology says Christmas Day temperatures in Sydney will be in the high 20s. It will be cloudy with a high chance of showers.

Brisbane temperatures will be in the early 30s; however, like Sydney, the forecast is for overcast conditions with a high chance of rain and some thunderstorms. 

In our nation's capital, rain is possible in Canberra, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s.

Rain is forecast for parts of Australia this Christmas Day, meaning Aussies may have to rethink the traditional BBQ. Picture: Supplied

Melbourne will also follow Sydney with a chance of showers on the day and a maximum temperature of 21C.

Hobart can expect a maximum temperature of 18C, cloudy conditions and a chance of showers.

Adelaide is forecast to have a partly cloudy day with a top of 24C, while temperatures are heading for a top of 32C in Perth with partly cloudy skies.

The Darwin forecast is for Christmas Day temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s and the change of showers and storms; however, this could change depending on ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.