Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms swept across New South Wales and southeast Queensland between Saturday and Monday, January 17 and 19, 2026, forcing evacuations around Sydney’s Narrabeen Lagoon and causing one death at Macquarie Pass. The storm system brought flash flooding, landslides, and dozens of rescues as the NSW State Emergency Service continued operations across inundated coastal suburbs.
Two people died after a vehicle entered the Macdonald River near Wisemans Ferry during severe rainfall on August 20, 2025, as Sydney recorded 82 mm (3.2 inches) in 24 hours—its wettest day of the year and wettest August day since 2007.
Sydney has recorded more than 9 300 mm (366 inches) of rain since January 2020, marking the highest six‑year total since systematic measurements began in 1858.
A bright green meteor flashed over Sydney on June 2, 2025, followed by vibrant Aurora Australis displays across Australia. The rare dual event was driven by a strong geomagnetic storm.
A powerful low pressure system in the Tasman Sea, the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam, generated large and hazardous surf along the east coast of Australia over the Easter weekend, leaving at least five people dead and two missing in New South Wales and Victoria.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of New South Wales (NSW) and Sydney on Monday, October 14, 2024, after storms swept through the region, causing floods, power outages, and flight delays. Several incidents of flash flooding were reported by state emergency services after the storms struck the region on Monday afternoon.
In less than six months Sydney, Australia has received more than a year’s worth of its average rainfall, making this the start of its sixth wettest winter since 1859. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts more rain over the next 7 days.
Torrential downpours caused flash floods in Australia’s largest city, Sydney, on June 7, 2024, leading to evacuations and rescues in low-lying areas.
Sydney, Australia recorded 142.6 mm (5.6 inches) of rain on June 1 and 2, 2024, surpassing its June average of 132 mm (5.2 inches) in just one day and marking its second wettest June day on record.
Between January 1 and October 6, 2022, Australia’s largest city – Sydney recorded more than 2 194 mm (86 inches) of rainfall, marking its wettest year since 1858 when the records started. Over the next three months, eastern half of Australia is forecast to receive above median rainfall.
