Weather in Sydney in November

How November compares

November is the 5th warmest month of the year in Sydney and ranks 50th of 134 destinations we compare for November - see where else is hot in November. Against London's average high of 10.4°C in November, Sydney is 12.3°C warmer by day and 10.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in November

The typical November day in Sydney peaks at 22.7°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.9°C or more. Roughly 1 in 4 days top 25°C and 1 in 19 pass 30°C. Nights average 15.7°C; one night in ten drops to 12.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest November day here reached 38.2°C (2020-11-28) and the coldest night 10.4°C (1996-11-11).

Rain in November

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 9 days with 1 mm or more, 70 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest November was 2010 with 167 mm, the driest 2009 with 16 mm. Humidity averages 71%.

Sea temperature in November

The sea averages 19.6°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 19.0°C to 20.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in February (23.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:43 and sets about 19:36 local time in mid-November. Average cloud cover is 57%.

Is November a good time to visit Sydney?

It is a reasonable choice: warm days but expect showers. The best months for Sydney on our scoring are December, January, February; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb.

Warm days, but not constant heat

The typical afternoon is warm enough for light clothing, without the persistent heat that can make being outdoors tiring. Days reach 25°C about 24% of the time, while 30°C is reached on just 5% of days, so hot weather is possible rather than the norm. Keep more active plans flexible on hotter days and leave room for shade around midday. Evenings need a different approach: the average low is 15.7°C, and the coldest nights can fall to 12.8°C or below. A jumper or light jacket is a sensible addition, especially if you expect to stay outside after dark.

Leave room for rain in your plans

November is a wet month, with about 9 rainy days, so it is not the best fit if dry weather is your main requirement. That does not mean every affected day is a washout, but you should have indoor alternatives rather than fixing every outdoor plan in advance. A light waterproof is more useful than packing only for sunshine. There are about 6 hours of sunshine within 13.8 hours of daylight, giving you a long window for being out without promising clear skies throughout. The practical approach is to use brighter spells when they arrive and keep weather-sensitive plans movable.

Treat swimming as an option, not the whole holiday

The sea averages 19.6°C, which is bracing rather than comfortably warm. If you enjoy cool-water swimming, that may be perfectly acceptable; if you prefer to linger in warm water, it is a meaningful drawback. The year-to-year range of 19°C to 20°C offers little reason to expect a much warmer sea. Pack swimwear, but make sure the trip would still appeal without long swims. For time beside the water, light daytime clothes and an extra layer for later are a sensible combination. November works better as a generally warm city break with swimming as a possibility than as a holiday centred on warm water.