It's 17°C and light rain
in Sydney.
Local time 16:45,
sunset at 17:32.
LiveSydney Opera House
17°
🌦Light rain
Feels like 17° · UV 0
Wind
15 km/h
northerly
Humidity
93%
Rain
0.5 mm
Pressure
1016 hPa
Sunrise → Sunset
06:22 → 17:32
11h 10m daylight
Air Quality
18 · Good
PM2.5 · 4 µg/m³
Running 11.2° below the seasonal average.
Bring an extra layer.
UV index: 0
Mood: Rainy
The week ahead
Today
🌦
20°14°
100%
Wed
🌦
18°13°
100%
Thu
🌦
16°11°
33%
Fri
☁
16°8°
— dry —
Sat
⛅
17°9°
— dry —
Sun
☁
18°11°
— dry —
Mon
☁
17°9°
— dry —
Hour by hour
now2000040812
Temperature, next 24h
What's it like
In Sydney, right now.
Sydney rain — 0.5mm. The harbour ferries keep running (Sydneysiders ignore weather). Embrace the indoor options: Powerhouse Museum, Queen Victoria Building, lunch at the Star.
Rainy · indoor picks
Where Sydney goes when it rains
Curated for today's rain — dry, cosy, worth the detour.
Curated picks — we may earn a small commission, never at extra cost to you.
Common questions
What are the best months to visit Sydney?
September-November (spring) and March-May (autumn). Mild (18-25°C), low rain, perfect for both beaches and exploring. Spring brings jacaranda blooming in November (stunning). Autumn has the warmest sea (22-23°C through April) and clearest skies. Summer (Dec-Feb) is hot (25-35°C) and humid but packed and pricier. Winter (Jun-Aug) is mild (10-18°C) — locals wear coats, tourists from Europe wonder what the fuss is.
What should I pack for Sydney in summer?
Sun protection is non-negotiable — Sydney's UV index hits 12 (extreme) in summer, the world's strongest. Pack proper sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat with wide brim, UV-protective sunglasses, long-sleeve UPF shirt for beach hours. Beach essentials: swimwear, flip-flops, rashguard. For evenings: light layer (cool ocean breeze). Light cotton for daytime. The famous Australian beach umbrella culture is real — bring one or rent at the beach.
What can you do in Sydney when it rains?
Sydney was made for summer; rain catches it off-guard but there's plenty indoors. The Art Gallery of NSW (free, world-class), the Museum of Contemporary Art (free), the Australian Museum. Queen Victoria Building for upscale shopping in a heritage Victorian arcade. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and Taronga Zoo work in rain (animals stay out). Take a covered Manly ferry — even in rain it's beautiful across the harbour. The Rocks district has covered laneways and pubs.
When is the southerly buster and what does it do?
The southerly buster is a sudden weather change that hits Sydney in summer afternoons — temperatures drop 10-15°C in 30 minutes, winds gust to 80+ km/h, thunderstorms often follow. Triggered by cold fronts colliding with summer heat. Locals welcome them (relief from 38°C heat) but they're dangerous if you're on the harbour in a small boat. Forecast: when the morning is unusually hot and still, a buster is likely by 16:00. Check BOM weather app.