Climate - Sydney (Australia)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Sydney (Australia)
The climate of Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, lying on the southeast coast of Australia, at 34 degrees south latitude, is humid subtropical, with mild winters and warm summers.
To the west of the city are hills, protected in some national parks.
The wind blows frequently, especially from October to April, that is, in the warm season (being that it's in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons in Sydney are reversed in comparison to Europe or North America).
From October to March, heatwaves may occur, with the wind blowing from the desert, which can raise the temperature above 35 °C (95 °F), though for short periods (sometimes, only one day), in addition, the wind can bring sand and dust from the desert.
The average temperature ranges from 24 °C (75 °F) in January to 13 °C (55.5 °F) in July. Here are the average temperatures.
Sydney - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 20 | 27.7 | 23.8 | 68 | 82 | 74.9 |
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| February | 19.9 | 27.1 | 23.5 | 68 | 81 | 74.3 |
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| March | 18.5 | 25.8 | 22.2 | 65 | 78 | 71.9 |
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| April | 15.2 | 23.4 | 19.3 | 59 | 74 | 66.7 |
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| May | 12.1 | 20.6 | 16.4 | 54 | 69 | 61.4 |
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| June | 9.8 | 18.1 | 14 | 50 | 65 | 57.1 |
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| July | 8.6 | 17.7 | 13.2 | 47 | 64 | 55.7 |
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| August | 9.3 | 19.1 | 14.2 | 49 | 66 | 57.6 |
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| September | 12 | 21.7 | 16.8 | 54 | 71 | 62.3 |
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| October | 14.4 | 23.6 | 19 | 58 | 74 | 66.2 |
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| November | 16.5 | 24.7 | 20.6 | 62 | 76 | 69.1 |
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| December | 18.4 | 26.4 | 22.4 | 65 | 80 | 72.3 |
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| Year | 14.5 | 23 | 18.7 | 58.1 | 73.3 | 65.5 |
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Rainfall is fairly abundant, since it is close to 1,000 millimeters (40 inches) per year. There is no dry season, however, the driest season is spring. The wettest months are February and June.
Although the climate of Sydney is generally good, sometimes, there may be particularly intense rains, thunderstorms and hailstorms.
Here is the average precipitation.
Sydney - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 80 | 3.1 | 8 |
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| February | 120 | 4.7 | 9 |
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| March | 95 | 3.7 | 9 |
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| April | 95 | 3.7 | 8 |
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| May | 90 | 3.5 | 8 |
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| June | 125 | 4.9 | 9 |
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| July | 70 | 2.8 | 7 |
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| August | 65 | 2.6 | 5 |
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| September | 60 | 2.4 | 6 |
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| October | 55 | 2.2 | 8 |
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| November | 70 | 2.8 | 9 |
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| December | 65 | 2.6 | 8 |
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| Year | 995 | 39.2 | 93 |
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Winter, from June to August, is mild, with an average daily temperature of 13/14 °C (55/57 °F), but it is also a rainy season, especially in the first part (June). In addition, houses generally do not have heating and are poorly insulated, so the feeling of cold is greater than one might expect.
In practice, it never gets very cold nor it freezes, even though slight frosts can occasionally occur in the western suburbs, which are more distant from the sea. In July 1968, the temperature dropped to -4 °C (25 °F) at Bankstown Airport.
Spring, from September to November, is mild or pleasantly warm, sunny enough, and generally not too rainy.
Summer, from December to March, is warm, with average temperatures not too high, and generally pleasant. Sea breezes constantly blow in the afternoon, and can sometimes be intense.
The sun shines on a regular basis, even though some cloudiness can form quite often, and sometimes, it can lead to showers and thunderstorms, which typically do not last long. However, every so often, the remnants of a tropical cyclone can get this far, bringing heavy rains and strong winds, especially from January to March.
The wind from the desert can raise the temperature in a spectacular way, bringing heat waves, though for short periods. This wind is strong and dry, and sometimes, it can cause fires in the hills behind the town, so much so that the air can be filled with smoke. The highest record is 46.4 °C (115.5 °F) and was set in January 2013. In January 2020, the temperature reached 49 °C (120 °F) in Penrith, a town located west of Sydney.
Autumn, in April and May, is very mild, but it is also a rainy season. During some years, the rains can be plentiful.
The amount of sunshine in Sydney is good throughout the year; the sun can also shine in winter. However, there is no season in which the weather is always good. On average, there are 2,600 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Sydney - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 7.5 | 230 | February | 7.5 | 210 | March | 7 | 210 | April | 7 | 215 | May | 6.5 | 205 | June | 5.5 | 170 | July | 6.5 | 210 | August | 8 | 250 | September | 8 | 245 | October | 8 | 245 | November | 7.5 | 220 | December | 7.5 | 235 | Year | 7.2 | 2640 |
At Bondi Beach, the sea is warm enough to swim in from January to March, when the ocean temperature is about 24 °C (75 °F), while it drops to 19 °C (66 °F) from July to September (therefore, it becomes a bit cold). The ocean coast is popular with surfers, while in the interior of the bays and in Botany Bay, the sea is a bit warmer and calmer. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Sydney - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 24 | 75 | February | 24 | 76 | March | 24 | 75 | April | 23 | 74 | May | 21.5 | 71 | June | 20 | 68 | July | 19 | 66 | August | 19 | 66 | September | 19 | 66 | October | 19.5 | 67 | November | 20.5 | 69 | December | 22.5 | 72 | Year | 21.3 | 70.4 |
Best Time
The best season to go to Sydney is spring, in September and October, since it is mild, quite dry and sunny. In November, the rains increase a bit, but not like in summer, and heat waves are still very rare, so November is a good month as well. On the other hand, there is no period to be absolutely avoided: it greatly depends on year and period. Anyway, autumn is rainy, while in summer, which is typically a good season, scorching days can sometimes occur, in addition to some intense thunderstorms and some very rainy periods.
Sydney - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.8 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 20 °C (68 °F) and a maximum of 27.7 °C (81.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 13.4 °C (56.1 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 46 °C (114.8 °F) in January 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
February is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 19.9 °C (67.8 °F) and a maximum of 27.1 °C (80.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 42.9 °C (109.2 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) and a maximum of 25.8 °C (78.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) in March 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) in March 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
April is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.4 °C (74.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it dropped to 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) and a maximum of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) in May 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 29.1 °C (84.4 °F) in May 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.0 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.8 °C (49.6 °F) and a maximum of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) in June 2010.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) in June 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in July 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) in August 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 30.9 °C (87.6 °F) in August 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.6 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) in September 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in September 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 7.2 °C (45 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 39.1 °C (102.4 °F) in October 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
November is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in November 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 43 °C (109.4 °F) in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.4 °C (79.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 43.2 °C (109.8 °F) in December 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
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