While most Australians will be spending a sunny Christmas at the beach or around the barbecue this year, others will endure a damper day inside.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart to be warm and dry with temperatures ranging from the mid 20s to high 30s on Christmas Day.

But it will be a soggier affair in Canberra, Brisbane and Darwin where showers and storms are forecast.

“So it’ll be a typical Christmas Day,” senior forecaster Philip Landvogt told AAP on Monday.

“It’s quite warm but it looks like it will be good weather to get out and about.”

Meanwhile, forecasters are keeping a close eye on a tropical low that’s developing in the Timor Sea off Australia’s north-west Kimberley coast.

Mr Landvogt said if the low develops further over the sea there is a chance of a cyclone forming.

“We expect it to develop on Wednesday or Thursday and it will develop fairly close to the coast so it might be a short-lived cyclone,” he said.

“But there’s a lot of uncertainty about whether it will develop.”

Christmas Day forecasts

• Brisbane 28C, shower or two 

The Sunshine State’s capital looks like it is in for some of the unpredictable tropical conditions the city becomes known for during summer. Expect to bring out the umbrellas as the BoM predicts a 70 per cent chance of 1-4mm of rainfall.

Brisbane will play host to tropical conditions over searing heat. Photo: Getty

• Sydney 29C, possible shower

The Harbour City, unsurprisingly, is expected to put on a pearler for its Christmas celebrations – especially if you’re planning for Christmas lunch outdoors.

Light winds are predicted, but conditions are expected to turn later in the day with a 50 per cent chance of light rainfall and the possibility of thunderstorms late in the day.

• Canberra 31C, shower or two developing

Similar to Sydney, with partly cloudy conditions paving the way for a reasonable chance of showers and the potential for thunderstorm activity.

• Melbourne 30C, sunny

Melbourne is preparing to turn it on for whatever Christmas activities you have in store, whether that be a celebratory lunch or a relaxing beachside day.

The bureau forecasts no chance of rainfall, while light 15 to 25 km/h winds will fail to dampen the festivities.

• Hobart 25C, partly cloudy

Hobart appears to be headed for an ideal case of ‘Goldilocks’ weather – not too hot, not too cold, just right.

Winds are expected to be heavier than most other capitals – 25 to 35 km/h – on an otherwise perfect day.

• Adelaide 37C, mostly sunny

The City of Churches will be praying for no malfunctions to air-conditioning systems as it swelters through the hottest day registered among the capitals.

There is no rain expected and only light easterlies, bringing little relief, especially if there’s a turkey cooking in the kitchen.

Perth will sizzle through a typical summer’s Christmas Day. Photo: Getty

• Perth 33C, partly cloudy 

No shocks in Perth as it endures another steamy Christmas.

Early south-easterly winds will ensure the brunt of the hot Australian sun is not felt as strongly until later in the day.

• Darwin 32C, shower or two, possible thunderstorms

Much like the rest of the week, Christmas Day is expected to be a treacherous one for those residing in the Top End.

There’s a 60 per cent chance of light showers, with the threat of storms lingering throughout the day.

– with AAP