As Australians prepare to commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, 2025, the weather forecast is shaping up to be a mixed bag, with rain and storms expected across various regions. From Brisbane to Melbourne, inclement weather is set to greet those attending dawn services and marches, potentially dampening the spirit of the day.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a coastal trough moving up from New South Wales is expected to bring moderate rainfall and possible storms to Southeast Queensland, particularly around Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Meteorologist Felim Hannify has indicated a 95 percent chance of rain in Brisbane on Thursday, April 24, with falls of up to 45mm and a morning thunderstorm possible. "It certainly looks like we have seen the best weather already for the week. It is expected to deteriorate on Thursday," he noted.
On the eve of Anzac Day, widespread showers are anticipated, with local falls of 50 to 100mm possible around the border ranges and Gold Coast hinterland. The wet weather is expected to continue into Friday, impacting the dawn services and parades. Hannify mentioned that during the first part of Friday, quite wet conditions are likely around parts of the Southeast, particularly the coastal areas, including Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
In addition to Queensland, other states are also bracing for rain. Melbourne is forecasted to experience a soggy Anzac Day with intermittent rain and possibly storms, with temperatures ranging from 17 to 23 degrees Celsius. The rain is expected to be welcomed by drought-affected farmers in western and central Victoria, where up to 20mm is possible.
Meanwhile, Sydney may see a brief storm on Friday before a significant soaking arrives over the weekend. The city could receive close to 100mm of rain from Saturday to Sunday, as a low-pressure system moves across the region. Despite the grey skies, the eastern states will remain warm for late April, thanks to a northerly airstream from the tropics.
Western Australia is also preparing for severe weather, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing warnings for damaging winds across the South West region, including Albany, Esperance, and Mount Barker. A cold front is expected to cross southwestern WA on Wednesday evening, bringing gusts of 60 to 70 km/h, with some areas potentially experiencing gusts up to 100 km/h. Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury stated that the front would bring showers and isolated thunderstorms as it moves through the area.
For Perth, a possible shower is forecast for Thursday morning, with temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius. The city has already seen a sky full of lightning strikes, and a thunderstorm could also hit the metro area on Wednesday afternoon.
As for the rest of the country, the weather is expected to be more stable. Canberra is set to enjoy a dry Anzac Day with a pleasant forecast low of 8 degrees Celsius and a high of 24 degrees Celsius, which is 4 degrees above average for April. In contrast, Darwin will see a standard April forecast of 23 to 33 degrees Celsius, with a slight chance of showers, more likely in the afternoon and evening.
While parts of eastern Victoria may receive below 5mm of rain, the general model consensus indicates that western and central Victoria, along with most of New South Wales, can expect average falls of around 5 to 30mm. Much of the NSW coast is anticipated to receive at least 50mm of rain during the coming days, while the Murray basin can expect similar totals.
As the Anzac Day rainband spreads slowly east over the weekend, it will bring rain to every corner of NSW and Victoria. Some models even suggest that Sydney could see 100mm of rain this weekend, which would be around a month's worth of precipitation. Showers may linger in Sydney through most of the following week, reminiscent of last May when the city recorded 13 consecutive days of rain.
In summary, while the weather may pose challenges for Anzac Day commemorations across Australia, it also brings much-needed relief to drought-stricken areas. As Australians honor the sacrifices of those who served, they will do so under a variable sky, with rain and storms reminding them of the resilience needed in both remembrance and nature.
