Weather in Sydney in July

How July compares

July is the 12th warmest month of the year in Sydney and ranks 134th of 134 destinations we compare for July - see where else is hot in July. Against London's average high of 21.8°C in July, Sydney is 5.8°C cooler by day and 4.6°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in July

The typical July day in Sydney peaks at 16.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 18.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 8.9°C; one night in ten drops to 6.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest July day here reached 24.1°C (2017-07-30) and the coldest night 1.1°C (2018-07-16).

Rain in July

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 6 days with 1 mm or more, 36 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest July was 2020 with 154 mm, the driest 2002 with 3 mm. Humidity averages 70%.

Sea temperature in July

The sea averages 18.0°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 17.4°C to 18.8°C. For the warmest sea here, come in February (23.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:58 and sets about 17:04 local time in mid-July. Average cloud cover is 36%.

Is July a good time to visit Sydney?

July is not the strongest month here: mild days. The best months for Sydney on our scoring are December, January, February; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb.

Cooler than a July at home

Sydney in July is noticeably cooler than London, where the average daytime high is about 22°C. Here, 16°C makes layers more useful than a suitcase built around shorts. A mild afternoon can suit a long walk, but sitting outdoors into the evening calls for a warm jacket as temperatures drop towards 9°C. The coldest nights can fall to around 6°C or below, so do not treat the average as a minimum. Midday is the sensible time for plans that benefit from warmth. This is Sydney's coldest month, and it suits travellers who would rather keep moving than lie in the sun.

Useful sunshine, but keep plans flexible

July offers about 6.4 hours of sunshine within 10 hours of daylight, so there is useful scope for outdoor plans despite the cool temperatures. Make the most of the middle of the day rather than relying on long, light evenings. Rain reaches at least 1 mm on about 6 days, making a waterproof layer sensible without treating every outing as likely to be wet. Leave room to swap an outdoor afternoon for something indoors if rain arrives. Layers are the practical choice: something lighter for a mild, sunny spell, with a jumper and jacket ready for cooler conditions and the evening.

A weak choice for a swimming holiday

The sea averages 18°C, which is bracing rather than comfortably warm. Its July range of 17°C to 19°C means you should not build the trip around easy, warm-water swimming. If you enjoy cooler water, a dip may still appeal, but getting out into mild air is another reason to have dry, warm clothing ready. With a flight from London taking about 22 hours, be clear about what you want from the journey. July makes more sense for a city stay with outdoor time than for a heat-focused holiday. December, January and February are better months to consider if warmer weather is your priority.