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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Lanie Tindale

'Stormy sort of end to the year': Possible thunderstorms on New Year's weekend

Kayakers enjoy the sunshine on Lake Burley Griffin on Tuesday. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong

Finally, after Canberra's coldest December on record, the hot summer sun beat down on the city during Christmas.

But in what is hopefully not a prophetic start to 2023, New Year's Eve weather is forecast have possible storms and "extreme" levels of UV.

So get ready to slip, slop, slap and stay inside.

New Year's Day is expected to be a bit better when it comes to the weather, with a maximum temperature of 27 degrees and only a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm.

And if you're not yet adjusted to the ongoing quagmire of confusing weather, brace yourself as a cold front moves through the capital.

BOM meteorologist Olenka Duma said a cold front would move through the ACT from Wednesday night to Thursday morning.

"We are expecting a trough to bring a cooler change later [Wednesday] tonight or early [Wednesday] morning," she said.

"With cooler conditions, or sort of that mid to high 20s, expected for the next couple of days."

Wednesday should reach a maximum of 32 degrees, with only a few light northwesterly winds in the afternoon.

Sun protection is recommended between 8.30am and 5.30pm, with the UV index predicted to reach 14.

UV radiation levels above 11 are considered extreme.

Forecast

  • Thursday, December 29: Min 14, Max 25. Shower or two, possible storm with 50 per cent chance of rain.
  • Friday, December 30: Min 13, Max 25. Cloudy, medium chance of showers and chance of thunderstorm.
  • New Year's Eve. Saturday, December 31: Min 13, Max 26. Partly cloudy, slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening.
  • New Year's Day. Sunday, January 1: Min 13, Max 27. Partly cloudy, slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm.
  • Monday, January 2: Min 13, Max 30. Sunny morning, slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm.
  • Tuesday, January 3: Min 14, Max 27. Cloudy, slight chance of shower or thunderstorm.

Temperature does not affect UV radiation levels, the Cancer Council said.

UV light can penetrate thin cloud cover, and can cause sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer.

Thursday will be a bit chillier, with a maximum temperature of only 25, a 50 per cent chance of rain and possible storm.

UV Index

  • Thursday, December 29: 12 (extreme)
  • Friday, December 30: 12 (extreme)
  • New Year's Eve. Saturday, December 31: 12 (extreme)

Light winds will become northeast to southeasterly at 15 to 25 km/h early in the morning, the bureau said.

Friday will be cloudy, with a maximum of 25, and a 50 per cent chance of a shower or two and possible thunderstorm.

Ben and Miriam Witteveen from Hackett with their children Charlotte, 9, Zac, 12, and Sam, 5, swimming in the Murrumbidgee river at Pine Island Reserve. Picture by James Croucher

The New Year's weekend might be a bit stormy, Ms Duma said.

"We are expecting generally a shower and stormy sort of end to the year, and start of the new year across Canberra and the ACT," she said.

"For New Year's Eve in particular, there is the chance of a shower or two and possibly an afternoon thunderstorm but we are expecting those showers to clear by the evening at this stage.

"At this stage we're expecting mostly dry conditions so people should be fine to watch fireworks outdoors."

Maybe bring an umbrella to watch the New Years Eve fireworks just in case.

New Year's Day will also have a chance of thunderstorm, with partly cloudy skies and light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h later in the day.

Monday, January 2 could be a hot mess, with a sunny morning and maximum temperature of 30, but also a possible storm or thunderstorm.

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