Record Rainfall: Sydney’s Wettest August Kickoff in Decades & What to Expect This Spring

After Sydney’s rainiest start to August in 28 years, the city might see even more wet weather. A forecast predicts a wetter-than-usual spring for eastern New South Wales.

By August 11, Sydney had already received 194mm of rain—more than double its average for the whole month. This marked the wettest start since 1998, according to Weatherzone. The intense rainfall led to the cancellation of events, like the Byron writers’ festival, but didn’t stop 90,000 runners from braving the slippery conditions at Sydney’s City2Surf race.

Jonathan How, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, noted that areas along the NSW coastline—from Illawarra to the Hunter—had already hit or surpassed their average rainfall for the month. The high sea surface temperatures off the coast played a big role in this downpour, boosting moisture levels in storm clouds. A high-pressure system over New Zealand has been pushing these conditions toward the coast.

Interestingly, this soggy weather follows a wet July, which was itself unusually rainy. Several locations reported their highest July totals ever. As of now, 2025 is shaping up to be one of Sydney’s wettest years, following a trend where three out of the last four years also saw above-average rainfall. The year 2022 holds the record for the wettest year recorded in the city.

Professor Andrew King from the University of Melbourne explains that the NSW coast often experiences heavy rains due to various weather systems—like thunderstorms and coastal lows. An average Sydney year sees over 1,000mm of rain, making it one of the more waterlogged capital cities in Australia, trailing only Darwin and Brisbane.

However, not all areas are experiencing the same conditions. While Sydney and its eastern regions are soaked, parts of western NSW remain dry. Some areas are still waiting for rain, highlighting the uneven distribution of rainfall this month.

Looking ahead, the Bureau’s long-range forecast suggests that above-average rain will likely continue for much of eastern Australia. However, some parts may experience exceptionally high rainfall. Meanwhile, short-term forecasts hint at a few drier days ahead for Sydney, much to the residents’ relief.

For those interested, the Bureau of Meteorology provides detailed climate data to keep track of these changing weather patterns. You can find more here.

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