Rain to ring in new year with possible thunderstorms on the way
New Year’s Eve revellers may escape the worst of the weather, however.
The first day of the new year is set to be wet in Brisbane, as rainy weather returns to the state’s south-east.
While New Year’s Eve was forecast to be mostly sunny, with a top of 32 degrees, the Bureau of Meteorology predicted the weather would turn on January 1.
Showers are a chance for New Year’s Eve in Brisbane, but the following day is when the weather is more likely to turn.Credit: Brisbane City Council
“Around the Brisbane area it’s probably more likely into the early hours of New Year’s Day rather than impacting New Year’s Eve, so fingers crossed on that one,” senior forecaster Daniel Hayes said.
“Hopefully if we see anything, it is just a few light showers and probably later than any of the activities.
“We do have the chance of thunderstorm activity through New Year’s Day in the afternoon, the evening in particular. And then some showers lingering through the rest of the week and into the weekend.”
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Moisture now over the northern parts of the state was expected to move towards the south-east, which might help the development of shower activity, Hayes said.
Troughs from down south might also move up and push into Queensland’s south and increase thunderstorm activity on Thursday.
“There may be some continuing potential for thunderstorm activity into Friday, but it’s more likely back in the [Southern] Downs and probably not into the south-east coast area.”
Hayes predicted showers from Friday onwards that could linger through the weekend and into next week. Total rainfall was predicted to be up to 5 millimetres.
In the final days of 2025, residents of Far North Queensland were battling a deluge, with the threat of up to 700 millimetres of rain in the region.
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Multiple flood warnings were in place, including a major warning for the Flinders River, moderate warning for the Cloncurry River, Diamantina River and Norman River, and minor warnings for nine other rivers.
Rain was expected for the rest of the week, which would progressively weaken. Townsville and Cairns were expected to escape the worst of the weather.