Warm season's greetings for most Christmas revellers

A Christmas "sandman" on Christmas Day at Bondi Beach in Sydney
All mainland capital cities can expect the mercury to rise above 25C on December 25. -AAP Image

Australians across the country can fire up the barbecues and lock in celebrations by the beach, with Christmas Day set to bring warm and dry conditions to most of the country.

In its Christmas forecast, the Bureau of Meteorology expects a settled day for most of Australia, with the chance of showers and storms for some areas.

All mainland capital cities can expect the mercury to rise above 25C on December 25, while Hobart faces the coolest Christmas in the nation at 23C, still slightly above average.

On the east coast, Sydney and Melbourne are expected to peak at 28C while temperatures in Brisbane are set to reach 29C.

The day's hottest city temperature will be found in Adelaide at 35C, while Darwin has a tropical 34C and 33C is expected in Canberra.

Perth can expect some showers and a possible storm amid a more mild 25C.

The forecast might change closer to Christmas Day but the bureau says Australians can start preparing with the likely weather in mind.

CHRISTMAS DAY FORECAST:

* Sydney: Clouds clearing. 18C-28C. Light winds up to 25km/h.

* Melbourne: Mostly sunny. 14C-28C. Light winds up to 20km/h.

* Brisbane: Mostly sunny. 20C-29C. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds up to 25km/h.

* Perth: Clouds increasing. 15C-25C

* Adelaide: Dry, hot and sunny. 16C-35C. Winds up to 25km/h.

* Hobart: Partly cloudy. 13C-23C. Slight chance of a shower. Winds up to 20km/h.

* Canberra: Warm, dry and sunny. 9C-33C. Light winds up to 20km/h

* Darwin: Possible shower or storm. 26C-34C.

Source: Bureau of Meteorology