Thousands of Aussies are embracing the Christmas season and heading to Bondi Beach in very festive summer outfits

Thousands have flocked to the beaches to celebrate Christmas after wet weather almost completely ruined the occasion, and before thunderstorms are forecast to hit Australia’s east coast again later this evening.

Bondi Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was full of families and friends celebrating Christmas Day, with many dressed in festive attire for the holidays.

Santa hats, Christmas-themed sweaters and red bikinis were spotted as far as the eye could see across the famous beach.

A Christmas tree was set up on the sand, while a woman surfed in a Santa suit with a matching hat.

Temperatures in Bondi rose to 25 degrees Celsius on Monday, with the sun emerging in time for the afternoon after a cloudy morning.

But the sunshine is expected to be short-lived, with Sydney and other parts of NSW in the firing line for thunderstorms on Monday evening.

The Bureau of Meteorology said there was a chance of severe thunderstorms in Sydney late Monday afternoon and evening.

Severe thunderstorm warnings have also been issued for the Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, ACT and parts of the Hunter and Illawarra.

“Very dangerous thunderstorms are likely to produce large and possibly giant hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding in parts of the Hunter, Illawarra, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands districts over the coming hours,” the BOM said.

‘Locations that could be affected include Bathurst, Katoomba, Goulburn, Oberon, Crookwell and Taralga.’

Orange, Canberra, Moree, Narrabri, Dubbo and Parkes are also expected to be hit by severe thunderstorms, large hail and damaging winds later on Monday.

It comes after wild weather hit Sydney on Christmas Eve.

Sydney International Airport’s tarmac was flooded with water as buses moved between terminals, with water also leaking into the baggage claim area.

The airport received 64 mm of rain in just an hour and a half. Little Bay in the east of the city was hit with 56mm in just one hour.

NSW SES responded to more than 200 incidents in just three hours on Sunday, including 21 flood rescues, with a total of 492 calls for help on Sunday.

Flash flooding was also seen in the east of the city, sweeping away cars in Kensington.

More than 17,000 residents in Victoria were without power on Sunday.

Canberra was forecast to be hit by a massive downpour on Monday, with the weather system bringing as much as 50mm.

Brisbane is also expected to experience wet and stormy conditions on Monday and Boxing Day.

Queenslanders will enjoy warm weather, with the capital set to reach 33 degrees Celsius by Christmas.

Angus Hines from the Bureau of Meteorology said the wet weather will continue for days, including the threat of heavier thunderstorms.

“There is potential in the atmosphere right now to produce these big storms,” he said.

‘There is a chance of thunderstorms or possibly even severe storms for Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. All these capitals see a risk of thunderstorms on Christmas Day,” he said.