Sydney receives a year’s worth of rain in less than six months, entering one of its wettest winters

In less than six months, Sydney, Australia, has received more than a year’s worth of its average rainfall, marking this the start of its sixth wettest winter since 1859. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts more rain over the next seven days.

Last week New South Wales recorded 60 mm (2.36 inches) of rain in 48 hours ending on June 23 at 09:00 local time. This brought the city’s total rainfall to 361 mm (14.21 inches), making this Sydney’s wettest June since 2007.

Based on records dating back to 1859, this is Sydney’s sixth wettest start to the winter. The rains were supported by the frequent easterly winds that drove moisture-laden air toward New South Wales from the Tasman Sea.

The abnormally high pressure in the south and southeast of Australia made these easterlies a bit more persistent than usual, especially between May and June. The above-average surface temperature of the Tasman Sea caused these winds to carry more moisture than usual providing a boost to the downpour

As per the Bureau of Meteorology’s, 7-day forecast the weather is expected to be sunny till June 28, there is a 30% chance of rain on June 29 and a 90% chance of rain on June 30, with rains expected to continue into July as well.

References:

¹ Recent and historical rainfall maps – Bureau of Meteorology – December 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024

² Sydney Forecast –Bureau of Meteorology– June 25, 2024

³ Sydney cops one year’s rainfall in six months after weekend downpour – 9News– June 25, 2024

Featured image credit: NWS SES