Many Australians thought they were in for a hot and sunny Christmas but the latest weather forecast is about to rain on that parade.

It’s likely going to be a mixed bag this Christmas, according to Weatherzone.

Some parts of Australia will be looking at enjoy a nice Christmas in the sun, while others will probably need to move the festivities inside.

“An outbreak of severe thunderstorms is likely to develop over eastern Australia on Christmas Day, with Australia’s three largest cities and the nation’s capital all at risk of wet and stormy weather,” Weatherzone said.

Here’s what to expect on Christmas Day.

Rain in the east

It’s looking gloomy on the east coast, with rain and potential thunderstorms expected across all eastern states.

Weatherzone said the dreary outlook is all thanks to a “mix of ingredients that will create an ideal environment for widespread shower and thunderstorm activity”.

According to Weatherzone, this not-so-jolly mix will be brought to you by:

• A broad low pressure trough being fed by moisture-laden north to northeasterly winds;
• A warm, humid air mass in the low levels of the atmosphere interacting with a much colder pool of air aloft, which will create a highly unstable atmosphere;
• Dry upper-level air that will aid hail development and;
• A positive Southern Annular Mode (SAM). This climate driver promotes wet and stormy weather in eastern Australia at this time of year.

Tweet from @weatherzone

Sydney can expect the rain to start on Christmas Eve and it likely won’t stop until after Boxing Day, meaning it will get kind of steamy, with the temperature sitting around 27C to 31C across those days.

In the ACT it is expected to be stormy on December 24, rainy on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, before the sun peaks through on December 27.

It will be cooler down in Melbourne, with temperatures in the low 20s on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Rain is expected right through until the 27th.

As for Brisbane, the thunderstorms may start on December 24 and will be followed by rain on Christmas Day and not easing up until December 27.

In Hobart, expect a shower or two on Christmas Day and a top of 21C. Don’t expect the rain to ease up, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting rain in Tasmania’s capital right up until December 28.

Tweet from @BOM_au

Perth and large parts of western, northern and central Australia should prepare for a hot and dry Christmas.

It is also forecast to be predominantly dry in Adelaide and Darwin, Weatherzone said.

Warm in the west

The temperature in Perth should be sunny and in the low 30s over Christmas, before cooling down to 26C on Boxing Day.

It should be a bit cooler in Adelaide over Christmas, with a chance of a shower or two on Christmas Day. Temperatures are expected to reach only the low 20s, but it might ramp up to 30C by December 28.

In the lead up to Christmas, Darwin is expecting thunderstorms, but that should all clear up by the 25th, but only for the day.

It will be around 35C over the Christmas period in Darwin, so make the most of the one sunny day.