The rain might hang about for the week to come, but according to the BOM’s forecast we can still expect the sweat to bead down our backs this Christmas. 

While the eastern coast is expecting a wet Christmas, further inland in the Western Plains the rain for the day remains to be seen.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast, the clouds are here to stay up until Christmas day, with the chance of a thunderstorm about much of the Western Plains. 

On Christmas Day, the rain event is more likely to recede, with up to a 70 per cent chance of any rain across the Western Plains, and temperature soaring up to 36 degrees around Bourke.

Rain offers reprieve for Duck Creek Pilliga fire

For residents impacted by the ongoing Duck Creek Pilliga fire, Christmas Day is likely the least of their worries, however recent rainfall has come at good timing. 

On a property just south of the Pilliga, 105mm of rain was recorded this week, as firefighters remain on the fireground.

The rain that has fallen over the week and is expected to continue is offering hope in the Duck Creek Pilliga fire area, where the warning has been downgraded to Advice level. 

Despite the relief, the fire is yet to be fully contained. 

“Rain is being experienced across the fireground reducing fire activity, however the fire is not contained and may become more active with forecast warmer weather in the week of Monday 25th December,” a statement from the RFS read. 

“The RFS firefighters, supported by multiple aircraft, heavy plant and Fire and Rescue, NPWS Forestry, Australian Wildlife Conservancy firefighters are continuing to extinguish the fire and strengthen containment lines.”

The Newell Highway between Narrabri and Coonabarabran remains closed, with recovery efforts in order to clear and reopen it as soon as possible.