Destination guide
Sydney weather by month
December to February is the best time to visit Sydney for warm-weather holidays, with January days averaging 26°C and the sea reaching 23°C in February. The catch is that summer is not reliably dry, so leave room to move outdoor plans around showers. Autumn suits travellers who prefer gentler warmth while the sea still holds some heat. Spring is comfortable for walking, while winter calls for layers, particularly in the evenings.
- Hottest month
- 25.7°CJanuary
- Coolest month
- 16.0°CJuly
- Warmest sea
- 23.0°CFebruary
- Flight from London
- 22h/dayLong-haul (7 h+) · estimated
Sydney, month by month
A little perspective
Sydney through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Januarybest | 25.7°C | 19.5°C | 22.5°C | 6.3 | 68 | 9 | 53% |
| Februarybest | 25.1°C | 19.5°C | 23.0°C | 5.7 | 87 | 11 | 47% |
| March | 23.8°C | 18.1°C | 22.7°C | 5.9 | 70 | 11 | 29% |
| April | 21.6°C | 15.2°C | 21.9°C | 6.0 | 54 | 8 | 10% |
| May | 18.9°C | 12.2°C | 20.6°C | 5.8 | 46 | 7 | 1% |
| June | 16.5°C | 10.2°C | 19.1°C | 5.4 | 65 | 8 | 0% |
| July | 16.0°C | 8.9°C | 18.0°C | 6.4 | 36 | 6 | 0% |
| August | 17.2°C | 9.2°C | 17.5°C | 7.3 | 37 | 5 | 1% |
| September | 19.6°C | 11.4°C | 17.7°C | 7.4 | 40 | 6 | 7% |
| October | 21.5°C | 13.7°C | 18.6°C | 6.7 | 51 | 8 | 18% |
| November | 22.7°C | 15.7°C | 19.6°C | 6.0 | 70 | 9 | 24% |
| Decemberbest | 24.4°C | 17.7°C | 21.0°C | 6.3 | 56 | 9 | 39% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Sydney
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February. February is the wettest month (87 mm, about 11 rainy days) and July the driest (36 mm). The sea is warmest in February at 23.0°C and coolest in August at 17.5°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD, 9 km from Sydney) takes roughly 22 h - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Australia/Sydney.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Sydney between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.0°C on 4 January 2020; the coldest fell to 1.1°C on 16 July 2018. In January one day in ten tops 30.3°C and about 11% of days pass 30°C; in July one night in ten drops to 6.1°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was February 1992 with 297 mm, against a February average of 87 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Sydney
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 05:59 | 20:09 | 14.2 h | 6.3 h |
| February | 06:30 | 19:49 | 13.3 h | 5.7 h |
| March | 06:55 | 19:14 | 12.3 h | 5.9 h |
| April | 06:18 | 17:33 | 11.2 h | 6.0 h |
| May | 06:40 | 17:03 | 10.4 h | 5.8 h |
| June | 06:58 | 16:53 | 9.9 h | 5.4 h |
| July | 06:58 | 17:04 | 10.1 h | 6.4 h |
| August | 06:34 | 17:25 | 10.9 h | 7.3 h |
| September | 05:54 | 17:47 | 11.9 h | 7.4 h |
| October | 06:14 | 19:08 | 12.9 h | 6.7 h |
| November | 05:43 | 19:36 | 13.9 h | 6.0 h |
| December | 05:39 | 20:02 | 14.4 h | 6.3 h |
Summer: December to February for warmth and swimming
Summer is the strongest choice if swimming and warm evenings matter most. December brings average days of 24°C and a sea temperature of 21°C, so the air is warm but the water can still feel fresh. January is the hottest month, with days averaging 26°C, while February is slightly cooler in the air but warmer in the sea at 23°C. Light clothing makes sense during the day, with sun protection and breaks from exposed midday conditions. Keep a rain layer handy too: February averages 10 rain days. This is a warm season rather than a guarantee of uninterrupted dry weather.
Autumn: March to May for gentler days
March is a useful alternative to summer if you want warm days without choosing the hottest month. Daytime temperatures average 24°C and the sea remains at 23°C, although 11 rain days make flexible outdoor plans sensible. April offers a milder balance: days average 22°C, the sea stays at 22°C and evenings call for an extra layer as nights average 15°C. By May, the emphasis shifts towards walking rather than warmth alone. Days average 19°C and nights 12°C, so pack a jumper or light jacket. The sea still averages 21°C, but getting out of the water may feel less comfortable in the cooler air.
Winter and spring: June to November for layered days
June and July are better suited to travellers happy with cool-weather walking than those seeking beach warmth: daytime averages sit at 16°C. July and August nights average 9°C, so bring a jacket rather than relying on a thin evening layer. August edges warmer by day and has the fewest rain days, but the sea remains cool at 18°C. September reaches 20°C in the air while the water stays at 18°C, making spring warmth more useful on land than in the sea. October brings average days of 22°C, though nights still need a layer. November feels closer to summer, with days at 23°C and nights at 16°C. Rain days increase through spring, so warmer conditions are not a reason to leave waterproof clothing behind.
A little more detail
Sydney weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Sydney?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Sydney are December, January and February. January is the hottest month (average high 25.7°C) and July the coolest (16.0°C).
How many months a year is Sydney over 25°C?
2 months in Sydney average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 7 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Sydney?
February is the wettest month in Sydney (87 mm on average) and July the driest (36 mm). Annual rainfall averages 680 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Sydney?
The hottest day recorded in Sydney between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.0°C on 4 January 2020; the coldest fell to 1.1°C on 16 July 2018. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
When is Sydney's sea warmest?
February and March have the warmest average sea temperature at 23°C. March therefore works well if water warmth matters more than the hottest air temperatures. April remains a reasonable option at 22°C, though evenings are cooler.
Which month has the fewest rainy days?
August has the fewest rain days, averaging 5. That makes it worth considering for outdoor plans if you are comfortable with cooler conditions: days average 17°C and nights 9°C. Fewer rainy days do not mean guaranteed dry weather.
Will I need warm clothes in Sydney?
Pack layers outside summer, especially for evenings. January and February nights average 20°C, compared with 9°C in July and August. A jumper or jacket is useful in the cooler months, and a rain layer makes sense throughout the year.
See also: Australia weather by month · where else is hot in January
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Sydney. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 1.8 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C