Weather

Weather in Australia

What to expect, season by season — plan when to visit, what to pack, and how to make the most of each season.

Four seasons

UV & sun safety

The sun here is different.

Australia has the highest UV radiation in the world. Even on cloudy days, UV can be extreme. Slip, slop, slap:

Slip on a shirt

Slop on sunscreen (SPF 50+)

Slap on a hat

Aussie weather quirks

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"Four seasons in one day"
Sydney and Melbourne especially can shift from sunny to rain to wind in hours. Always bring a light jacket.
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Summer storms
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer — especially in the east. They pass quickly.
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Bushfire season
Summer (Dec–Feb) brings high fire danger, especially in regional NSW. Check the RFS website before regional travel.
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El Niño years
Drought conditions are more common in El Niño years. Water restrictions can apply. Check your local council website.

Sydney climate

Avg Summer

24°C / 19°C

Avg Winter

17°C / 9°C

Sea temp (summer)

23–26°C

Rainiest month

June (130mm)

Source: Bureau of Meteorology (bom.gov.au) — download the app for real-time forecasts.