Australia is set for a drama-free Christmas in terms of the weather after one of its warmest years on record.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a quiet Christmas Day with generally fine weather across much of the country.
"It's going to be a beautiful day for many parts of the country, probably one of the most stable and quietest weather days we've seen for most, not all, parts of the country," senior forecaster Dean Narramore said on Friday.
He said showers and thunderstorms are expected for the area between Sydney and Brisbane, the Top End and the Kimberley Coast.
Mr Narramore said the best forecast for warm and sunny weather will be in Perth and Adelaide.
Inland areas will probably hit the 40C mark, which will be a few degrees above average but does not represent record heat, he said.
Mr Narramore said the temperature will warm up mid-week in much of southeast Australia before the next "weather maker" moves through on Thursday into Friday, which could result in some showers and storms.
It is too early to predict the weather for New Year's Eve, he added.
Senior climatologist Dr Andrew Watkins said Sydney and Brisbane should be a little cooler than normal during January, while Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth are looking a little warmer.
"We're looking at some warmer conditions through southeastern Australia and also in the southwest as well - warmer days but also unfortunately a few warmer nights, a bit more uncomfortable for sleeping," Dr Watkins said.
"In terms of rainfall, possibly a little wetter through NSW and Queensland, particularly in the eastern half of the state, but elsewhere the odds aren't really strongly swinging towards a wetter or drier January."
Dr Watkins said Australia is experiencing La Nina conditions, but nowhere near as strong as the last La Nina in 2010-12 that caused widespread flooding rain over January.
He said 2017 is expected to have been among the top five warmest years on record for Australia, and in the top 10 for NSW, Queensland, Victoria and possibly South Australia.
Annual rainfall will have been close to average.
Christmas Day weather forecast
SYDNEY - 23C, shower or two, chance of afternoon thunderstorm in west
MELBOURNE - 22C, mostly sunny
BRISBANE - 33C, possible late shower or storm
PERTH - 32C, sunny
ADELAIDE - 29C, sunny
HOBART - 21C, partly cloudy
CANBERRA - 25C, possible shower
DARWIN - 32C, shower or two, possible storm.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology, forecast as of Friday lunchtime.
