Sydney Weather

Sydney weather is formed from a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters. The city enjoys more than 340 days of sun each year. Average minimum temperatures in the winter months of June through to August are at their lowest. The summer season is from December through to February when the highest temperatures are recorded. During the summer months the beaches are packed with locals and visitors trying to escape the heat and lack of humidity.

Due to the El Nino - Southern Oscillation (ENSO, a global ocean-atmosphere phenomenon coupled with La Nina), and the East Coast Lows (low pressure depression), Sydney is sometimes hit with hail storms and flash flooding. These major storms happen once every few years and cause massive damage. ENSO is associated with droughts and flash flooding and it cycles through every 3 to 8 years.

As you can see from the table below, rainfall is reasonably well spread across the year. The start of the year sees the easterly winds dominate and rainfall is slightly higher at this time. Sydney never has to deal with cyclones.

The best time to visit Sydney does depend on the kind of activities you’re interested in trying while in town. Those seeking an authentic Australian beach experience will enjoy Sydney in the summer as the population flock to the surrounding beaches and inlets. Between November and February, the water is warmest and most inviting. However it is worth considering that this time can be incredibly hot and difficult to enjoy.

On the whole, September and October are often recommended as the most pleasant time to plan your Sydney escape. With average highs of 21 degrees Celsius and lows of 12.3 degrees, it’s a very pleasant climate to visit the city landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach.

Sydney Temperatures

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Max°C25.825.724.722.419.316.916.217.719.922.023.625.1
Min°C18.618.717.514.711.59.28.08.911.013.515.517.5

Sydney Monthly Rainfall

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rain mm103117131127123128988269778378