Weather Sydney , Australia
Located on the east coast of Australia in New South Wales, Sydney has a sunny, subtropical climate. Summers are hot and winters are temperate and rarely, if ever, cold.
Sydney's climate is largely dictated by its coastal position and the warm seas that surround it. This means that temperatures rarely ever drop, as they can in other parts of the country. Additionally, the scorching temperatures for which the inland deserts are famous for remain absent in Sydney due to the cooling sea breezes, while rain is much higher and more frequent.
Sydney's Microclimates
Different parts of Sydney see slightly different weather patterns, for example, coastal regions are generally cooler and wetter while the more inland suburbs are dryer on average and see more extremes in temperature at both ends of the scale.
Rain can happen year-round in Sydney, although winter and spring are slightly drier than summer and autumn. Rain usually falls in sudden but short storms which are often localised, meaning one part of the city is dry while another is very wet.
The seasonal tendencies described here reflect the yearly averages, but the climate is complex and weather can vary year-to-year and minute-to-minute. Remember, Sydney is in the southern hemisphere so the seasons are reversed.
Summer Weather in Sydney
Summer Temperatures In Sydney
Remember the seasons are reversed in Sydney so December, January, and February are usually the hottest months.
Summers in Sydney are hot and sunny but with high rainfall. Average daily highs during summer are a very agreeable 26°C, while night-time temperatures don't fall below the high teens, even in December.
Most days see pleasant temperatures in the high 20s, there are days when the sea breeze fails and mercury soars up to the high 30s and even beyond. Temperatures have been known to reach the 40s, and even higher temperatures have been known in the outer suburbs of the city.
Summer Sunshine Hours in Sydney
This is the time to hit the beach and bask in the glorious weather for which Australia is famous. Summer days in Sydney generally enjoy an average of between 8 and 9 sunshine hours a day.
How Much Does It Rain In Sydney in Summer?
In Sydney, summer storms with heavy rainfall are not infrequent, in fact Sydney averages about 30 such storms per year. They are mostly brief though, and the sun soon shines again. These storms are what account for most of the 126-130mm average rainfall you get in January and February.
Summer Hailstorms In Sydney
Sydney's summer hailstorms sometimes drop hail. The stones fall a couple of times each summer and can be very large - hailstones measuring up to 7cm have been recorded!
Flash Floods And Bush Fires
In summer, Sydney can go forlong periods without rain before getting a soaking. This can result in flash floods. The other phenomenon that arises from these long, dry and hot periods is bush fires, which occur frequently in the areas surrounding the city.
Strong sea breezes coupled with the arid bush provide the perfect conditions for these destructive blazes to spread. Water supply is a constant concern for the city during drought periods.
Sydney Bush Fires In 2019/20
Autumn Weather in Sydney
Autumn Temperatures In Sydney
After the sometimes sweltering conditions of summer in Sydney, autumn enjoys pleasant temperatures in the city. March is only slightly cooler than the peak summer months at an average of 22°C, while April and May still enjoy average daily highs in the low 20s.
Although daytime temperatures are very agreeable, evenings get a little cool in Sydney. May can see nighttime temperatures falling towards 12°C.
Autumn Rain In Sydney
Autumn is, on average, the wettest time of the year in Sydney with an average rainfall of 164mm and 15 wet days in March. As with the rest of the year, heavy storms account for most of the rainfall. There can also be long periods without any rain.
Winter Weather in Sydney
Remember the seasons are reversed in Australia, so the winter months are June, July, and August.
June, winters in Sydney can generally be mild and fairly dry. Sunny winter days can in fact be very pleasant and even warm enough for the beach. In fact, the water temperature does not fall below 18°C so you could even go for a swim.
Winter Temperatures In Syndey
Average daily temperatures are at their lowest in July, but even then are at 13°C, while temperatures touching 20°C on a good winter's day are not uncommon.
Nighttime temperatures can become quite chilly in Sydney in winter, averaging 8°C in July and 9°C in August, but they have been known to drop lower, below 4°C.
While the coastal and central city areas don't see freezing temperatures, the suburbs a few km inland can experience colder weather, with occasional frosts and sub-zero conditions. These are rare events though.
Autumn Rain and Snow In Sydney
Winter is the driest time of year in Sydney, with just 56mm of rainfall in July, though downpours are still possible. You won't see snow in the city, but the nearby Blue Mountains do receive a dusting most winters.
Spring Weather in Sydney
Spring Temperatures In Sydney
Spring has great weather in Sydney and is a popular time to visit the city. The weather is relatively dry and temperatures are quickly increasing towards summer. Daytime highs rise into the 20s for the entire season with high temperatures of 24°C in November.
The nights quickly warm too and by mid-spring, low temperatures usually remain above the mid-teens all of the time. The slightly cooler temperatures compared with summer time make it good for getting about in the city especially if you want to cram in a lot of sightseeing.
Spring Sunshine Hours In Sydney
Along with an increase in temperature, sunshine levels are consistently high in the spring, with an average of nine hours each month.
Spring Rain In Sydney
Rainfall is not too high, with 65mm and 88mm of precipitation in September and October respectively. Again most of the rain falls in brief but heavy storms