Sydney to swelter as storms hit Darwin: What the weather will be for every capital city on Australia Day 2024

Whether or not they plan to mark Australia Day, millions of Australians will be checking the weather for the today's public holiday and the long weekend.

While some cities are likely to get a warm and sunny day today, others will be hit by thunderstorms.

Here is what the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting for each capital city on Friday, January 26, 2024.

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Sydney, New South Wales

Skies will be slightly cloudy in Sydney, but temperatures will reach up to 35 degrees, keeping Sydneysiders warm today.

There's a 40 per cent chance of rain, with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon and evening.

Winds are expected to reach 30 to 45 km/h in the afternoon.

Melbourne, Victoria

Further south in Melbourne, conditions are also expected to be partly cloudy.

Residents in the east should expect a chance of showers.

There is a slight chance of rain for the rest of Melbourne, with light winds throughout the city.

Temperatures are expected to peak at 23 degrees.

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Brisbane, Queensland

After a wetter-than-average month and severe thunderstorms affecting the land, Queenslanders could possibly see more wet weather on Australia Day, with the chance of some sun.

The BoM is predicting a partly cloudy day with temperatures to reach 32 degrees, with the slight chance of a shower in the late morning and afternoon.

In welcome news for Brisbaneites planning outdoor activities today, previous predictions of an Australia Day thunderstorm have been pushed out to Saturday.

The sun will peak through the clouds with the UV level expected to hit an extreme 14, so don't forget the sunscreen!

North to northeasterly winds will reach 25km/hour during the day, before turning east to northeasterly during the afternoon.

Elsewhere in the state, Cyclone Kirrily is expected to make landfall towards Townsville tonight.

As a result, heavy to intense rainfall is expected across northern interior and western Queensland on Friday and throughout the weekend.

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Perth, Western Australia

Following a cloudy few days with isolated storms, conditions will clear up in time for Australia Day on the west coast.

Residents should expect a top of 32 degrees, with no clouds in sight.

UV levels will reach 13, while southeasterly winds are expected to reach 25 to 40 km/h in the late morning before tending southwesterly in the early afternoon and southeasterly in the late afternoon.

Adelaide, South Australia

Early last week, Adelaide was looking forward to a cloudless Australia Day, but the forecast has changed slightly since then.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 24 degrees, with partly cloudy conditions.

There is a very slight chance of rain, but it is unlikely.

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Hobart, Tasmania

Tasmania's capital will reach a high of 21 degrees on Australia, with windy conditions and a medium chance of rain expected, most likely in the afternoon.

Westerly winds are tipped to reach 30 to 45 km/h in the morning, but will then decrease to 20 to 25 km/h by the late evening.

Darwin, Northern Territory

In Darwin, temperatures will reach a top of 29 degrees with clouds and heavy rain expected.

The city is very likely to experience thunderstorms, with a 100 per cent chance of rain, and thick clouds expected.

Up to 90mm of rain is expected, particularly in the city's southwest, around the Cox Peninsula.

Despite cloudy and wet conditions, the UV will still hit an extreme 15.