Hello, here is your National Weather Forecast as we take a look at what we're expecting for tomorrow, Friday the 12th of December.

First, the synoptic map: there are a number of weather features we're keeping an eye on. In western and central Australia, several surface troughs are present, along with another surface trough off the east coast of New South Wales. Together, these systems are drawing down very warm and moist, humid air across the country, triggering broad areas of thunderstorms from inland Western Australia through to eastern New South Wales. Severe thunderstorms are possible across eastern parts of the country, and a dedicated Severe Weather Update video is available now.

Further south in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia, a high pressure system over the Tasman Sea is directing very warm northerly winds, so temperatures are set to rise as we end the week. Elsewhere, it will be a little cooler along parts of the Queensland coast and remain unsettled across northern Australia.

In Queensland, there will be some shower and thunderstorm activity across southern inland areas in the morning, mostly clearing before dawn. Further showers and thunderstorms develop across most inland areas in the afternoon, with a few showers pushing onto coastal areas. Cloud cover along the coast will create a large temperature contrast from east to west: coastal areas will sit in the high 20s to low 30s, while western regions continue to experience heatwave conditions with temperatures reaching the low 40s. Brisbane will see a milder day with 27 °C, partly cloudy conditions and a possible shower. Cairns will be warmer with a partly cloudy day, a possible shower, and a top of 32 °C.

In New South Wales, showers and thunderstorms will affect the east coast with a surface trough becoming more active into the afternoon. Thunderstorms are possible across most districts except the far south-west near Broken Hill, with more widespread activity in eastern areas. Heavy falls are possible in Sydney, the Hunter, the Northern Tablelands and North Western Slopes. Some storms may bring damaging winds and large hail, with 10–20 mm of rain possible in the east. Cloud cover will keep temperatures milder than recent days. Sydney will have showers and a possible storm with a top of 24 °C, making it the coolest capital city tomorrow. Canberra will see a possible shower or storm and 25 °C.

In Victoria, it will be a dry morning before showers and thunderstorms develop across central and eastern districts in the afternoon, possibly extending west to Geelong. Warm north-easterly winds will make it humid, especially in central and eastern areas. Melbourne will start dry; a rumble of thunder is possible, mainly in the eastern suburbs. It will be hot in the north, reaching 38 °C in Mildura. On Friday evening, a gusty south-westerly change will push through from the west, bringing relief to the far south-west. Melbourne and other districts will not see the cool change until Saturday morning, leading to a warm Friday night for much of the state.

In Tasmania, it will be mostly sunny and dry, with temperatures reaching up to 10 °C above average in the south. Hobart will have a warm day at 28 °C – the warmest in about a week. Northern parts of the state will reach the low to mid-20s. Very isolated showers are possible about the western ranges, with a slight chance of thunder, though little rainfall is expected.

In South Australia, a surface trough will divide the state. Ahead of it, very hot winds will push temperatures into the high 30s and mid 40s across eastern districts, with afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible in the north-east. Behind the trough, cooler southerly winds will move through, bringing a gusty cool change into the Eyre Peninsula by evening and driving Extreme Fire Danger there. Adelaide will reach 37 °C before the cool change arrives in the evening, offering relief into the weekend.

In Western Australia, morning showers and thunderstorms are expected mainly between Esperance and Katanning. By the afternoon, activity becomes more widespread, extending into the Goldfields, Gascoyne and Pilbara. Storms may even reach areas as far west as Cunderdin and York, though they are not expected to reach Perth. Perth will be mostly sunny and warming again to 35 °C, with cooler conditions along the coast due to southerly winds, but warm to hot conditions elsewhere.

Finally, across northern Australia, showers and thunderstorms are likely across eastern and northern parts of the Kimberley, with more isolated activity elsewhere. Heatwave conditions continue across parts of the eastern Top End, with temperatures climbing into the low 40s, and central Australia will also be very hot.

That's your forecast for today. Stay up to date with the latest information and warnings on our website and app. Follow us on social media, and as always, have a great day!