A hot New Year's period is expected in the south, with wetter conditions in the north and east. 

Sydney’s New Year’s forecast is a typical set of summery days: both New Year’s Eve and Day are set to reach maximum temperatures of 29°C, with an overnight minimum keeping the city no cooler than 20°C. The sun will be out with clear to mostly clear skies, with only a slight chance of showers later in the day on New Year’s Day. Temperatures will be around the low-20s at midnight. 

Canberra will be on the warmer side, with peak temperatures of 31°C both days. Skies should remain sunny and mostly clear, with temperatures around midnight in the high-teens, ahead of an overnight minimum of 13°C. 

Melbourne is in for a hot period, with maximum temperatures of 38°C and 36°C expected on Friday and Saturday, respectively. By midnight, temperatures should be near 20°C, with an overnight minimum of 19°C expected. Skies will be mostly clear and sunny. 

Adelaide will also be hot, with maximum temperatures of 38°C and 37°C expected on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Temperatures will be still be in the mid-20s at midnight, with an overnight minimum of 22°C expected. Skies will be clear and sunny on Friday, with patches of cloud building in the New Year 

Hobart will see this heat also push south, with maxima of 29°C and 28°C on New Year's Eve and Day, respectively. Overnight temperatures should remain in the mid-teens, with mostly sunny/clear skies expected, ahead of building cloud cover later on Saturday. 

Perth will be much milder over New Years, relative to the scorcher of a Christmas just experienced. Maxima of 31°C and 29°C are expected on Friday and Saturday, respectively, with sunny skies and an overnight minimum of 17°C. Temperatures should still be in the low-20s at midnight. 

Darwin is at risk of a couple showers and thunderstorms across this period. Maxima of 33°C and 34°C are expected on Friday and Saturday, respectively, with overnight temperatures in the mid-to-high-20s. 

Brisbane will be on the wetter side as an approaching low pressure system brings showers, heavy at times. This will lead to milder maximum temperatures of 28°C on both days. Temperatures should be in the low-20s around midnight, with an overnight minima of 21°C. 

Image: GFS model output showing Mean Sea Level Pressure, precipitation and thunderstorm risk around midnight on New Year’s. Low pressure in the north and over the Coral Sea are bringing the risk of showers and storms, while a trough pushing across the south is drawing a hot airmass into Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart.