New Year’s Eve weather forecast, BOM warnings

Celebrating the new year should be a happy occasion, but thousands will be still without power or bracing for a deluge of rain.

It’s meant to be a joyous moment for many who ring in the new year with celebrations and good times, but thousands will be still without power or bracing for a deluge of rain as the clock strikes midnight.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast it’ll be a soggy start to 2024 for residents in the greater Brisbane, Sydney and Darwin areas, with southeast Queensland almost certain to be hit with a rain event.

New Year’s Eve weather forecast around the country

NSW

The bureau forecasts scattered showers and thunderstorms across the north of NSW, some of which could be “severe”.

There’s a high chance of showers in the west of Sydney, although conditions will be damp rather than extremely wet.

It will be a cold day, with the temperature reaching just 24C.

A strong wind warning is active for the Byron Coast.

Victoria

It’s expected to be cool and dry in Victoria as a ridge extending from a high pressure system south of the Bight persists over the Bass Strait.

In Melbourne, no rain is expected but it will be cloudy and frigid, with a maximum of 21C.

Queensland

The bureau advises that a complex trough and associated upper level system is slowly moving east across central and southern Queensland, which will drive showers and thunderstorms.

In Brisbane, up to 20mm of rain is expected today, with thunderstorms likely. It will be hot, with the mercury peaking at 31C.

The Gold Coast is almost certain to be hit with showers.

The bureau has issued a flood warning for the Condamine catchment, and a heatwave warning for the far north of the state.

Western Australia

The main weather driver in southern and central WA is a strengthening high pressure ridge in the south.

In Perth, it’s going to reach 31C, with sunny conditions and almost no chance of rain.

An “extreme heatwave” warning is active for the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.

South Australia

It’s going to be dry and sunny across the majority of South Australia.

Adelaide is expected to hit 26C.

Northern Territory

It will be very hot across the NT today.

In Darwin, there is a slight chance of a shower this afternoon and this evening — and also a chance of a severe thunderstorm. The bureau puts the odds at about 20 per cent that rain will ruin the fun tonight.

A heatwave warning is active for the territory.

Canberra

The weather will be cloudy in Canberra, with a small chance of rain.

The bureau predicts it will be quite cold, only reaching 22C.

Queensland has been hit hard by storms over the Christmas period. Picture: Supplied

Queensland battered by storms

As many prepare to countdown to 2024, the mammoth clean-up continues in South East Queensland after parts of the state was battered by tornado-like winds on Christmas night.

Emergency crews are continuing to restore power to critical infrastructure after winds felled more than 900 power lines on Christmas Day – including 600 on the Gold Coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology has since confirmed a tornado formed as part of the devastating Christmas Day storms, causing “very widespread destruction” throughout Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim region.

The tornado left a trail of destruction on Christmas Day. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Some residents will take months if not years to rebuild. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Len Latours’ home was destroyed by deadly storms in South East Queensland. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said residents had been battered by wind speeds exceeding 150km/h and comparable to those of a category 2 cyclone.

The tornado left a trail of destruction in its path, with many homes, vehicles and properties destroyed by falling trees and huge winds.

Thousands of people are still expected to remain without power on New Year’s Eve.

Those impacted by power outages are able to learn when they’ll be able to get power back by checking the Energex website for its recovery plan and prepare accordingly.

“This is an unprecedented task ahead for our Energex staff but they’re up to the challenge,” Queensland’s Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said.

“By the evening of December 30, we aim to have 80 per cent of power resupplied.

“By the end of December 31, we aim to have 90 per cent with power.”

Energex workman bring in and set portable electrical transformers at Mount Tamborine after the widespread devastation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Volunteers have also been assisting in repairing damaged roofs after the widespread devastation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

However, Energex expects up to 10000 customers in the Mt Tamborine and Jimboomba areas will be unable to be reconnected to electricity for possibly weeks after the storm caused significant damage to key power system infrastructure.

Energex crews are continuing to work on repairing the damaged infrastructure, with staff moving into accommodation in the affected areas as the rebuild occurs.

They are still assessing the damage, but major power systems were completely destroyed in the storm.

Those affected by the Christmas and Boxing Day storms can apply for personal hardship grants of $180 for individual residents and $900 for families.