Canberrans planning their New Year's Eve festivities should prepare for a day of dramatic weather changes, with rain, potential thunderstorms, and soaring heat expected before conditions clear just in time for the midnight fireworks.
A Wet Start With Afternoon Storm Risk
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Tuesday, December 31, 2025, will begin with showers from around 7 or 8 am. Senior meteorologist Jonathan How advised residents to check the rain radar before heading out for the day. "That will help you make any plans to see if there's any rainfall coming to your place," Mr How said.
The wet morning is expected to intensify into the afternoon, with the risk of thunderstorms increasing significantly after midday. "Into the afternoon, we could see some thunderstorms picking up, particularly after lunchtime," Mr How warned. While morning winds will be light, these afternoon storms could bring sudden, strong gusts.
Securing Your Celebrations
For those planning to set up early lakeside picnics or secure spots for the evening's displays, the bureau has crucial advice. It is essential to secure loose items like marquees and picnic blankets and to monitor the rain radar throughout the day. Revellers are also advised to check the ground and grass before sitting down to avoid a damp start to the night.
Despite the turbulent daytime forecast, the outlook for the main event is promising. Mr How indicated that storms should "dissipate after dinner or into the late evening." He added, "By the time we roll around to late at night, towards midnight, we will see some cloud around, but it should be mostly dry."
From Scorching Heat to a Chilly Countdown
The capital will experience significant temperature swings throughout the day. Temperatures are forecast to reach a top of 34 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with the afternoon of New Year's Eve still sitting around 30 degrees. However, as the new year approaches, a sharp drop is expected, with the mercury falling to about 15 degrees by midnight.
"15 degrees plus a bit of wind will bring a wee bit of wind chill. So, yeah, good idea to pack a jacket for sure," Mr How recommended, urging people to bring warm layers alongside their rain gear.
New Year's Day is predicted to be windy and cloudy, with a noticeable breeze keeping conditions cooler than the seasonal average.
Looking Ahead to a Hot, High-Fire-Danger Summer
The wet end to 2025 does not signal a mild summer for the ACT. The bureau notes that January and late summer are typically when the region's fire season peaks. "Certainly [we] could expect to see days of elevated fire danger, and we are expecting to see above average temperatures across the ACT not just in January but through the summer," Mr How stated.
He also clarified that the strong winds expected are characteristic of a stormy summer rather than a cold winter front. "Summertime is the peak time for severe thunderstorms. The strong wind gusts are more likely to come from thunderstorms than cold fronts," he explained.
For crowds heading to key vantage points like Regatta Point, Rond Terrace, and Commonwealth Place for the 9pm and midnight fireworks displays over Lake Burley Griffin, the forecast suggests the weather will cooperate, offering a dry, if slightly cool, celebration to ring in 2026.
