Sydney vs Melbourne: Weather & Climate Compared
On annual averages, Sydney is warmer overall, Sydney is sunnier, and Sydney has more rainy days. The monthly comparison shows when that result changes.
Sydney vs Melbourne weather right now
At this moment, Sydney is the warmer of the two by 11°F (6°C).
Small regional differences that change the experience
Across the year, Sydney is the warmer of the two: its annual average of 64°F (18°C) beats Melbourne's 59°F (15°C) by roughly 5.0°F (2.8°C).
For the full seasonal context behind this comparison, see the Sydney monthly climate guide and Melbourne monthly climate guide.
Differences that matter for a regional choice
- Sunshine: Sydney is brighter, averaging 9.9 hours of sun a day to Melbourne's 9.2.
- Rain: the rain gauge favors Melbourne: 119 wet days a year to Sydney's 122.
- Peak heat: Sydney tops out in January (80°F (27°C) highs); Melbourne peaks in January (80°F (26°C)).
- Coldest nights: winter bottoms out at 47°F (8°C) in Sydney (July) and 44°F (6°C) in Melbourne (July).
Which city has the easier sightseeing weather?
Counting months with average highs between 64°F and 82°F (18–28°C) and fewer than 12 wet days:
- Sydney: April, May, August, September, October, November, December (7 months)
- Melbourne: January, February, March, April, October, November, December (7 months)
Both cities are at their most comfortable in April, October, November, December, the easiest window for a trip that takes in both.
Sydney vs Melbourne month by month
| Month | Sydney high / low | Melbourne high / low | Sydney rain days | Melbourne rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 80° / 67° | 80° / 60° | 13 | 8 |
| February | 79° / 66° | 78° / 58° | 13 | 6 |
| March | 77° / 64° | 75° / 57° | 15 | 7 |
| April | 72° / 58° | 68° / 51° | 10 | 9 |
| May | 67° / 52° | 61° / 47° | 8 | 11 |
| June | 62° / 48° | 57° / 44° | 10 | 11 |
| July | 62° / 47° | 56° / 44° | 7 | 13 |
| August | 65° / 47° | 58° / 44° | 6 | 13 |
| September | 69° / 51° | 62° / 46° | 8 | 12 |
| October | 72° / 56° | 67° / 49° | 11 | 12 |
| November | 74° / 60° | 71° / 53° | 11 | 11 |
| December | 78° / 64° | 76° / 56° | 10 | 9 |
Sunshine, daylight and rain chance
| Month | Sydney sun | Melbourne sun | Sydney daylight | Melbourne daylight | Sydney wet-day chance | Melbourne wet-day chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.9 h | 11.1 h | 14.2 h | 14.5 h | 41% | 25% |
| February | 10.6 h | 11.1 h | 13.4 h | 13.6 h | 47% | 19% |
| March | 9.5 h | 9.7 h | 12.4 h | 12.4 h | 48% | 22% |
| April | 9.4 h | 8.4 h | 11.3 h | 11.2 h | 34% | 29% |
| May | 8.7 h | 7.4 h | 10.4 h | 10.1 h | 24% | 35% |
| June | 8.2 h | 6.9 h | 9.9 h | 9.6 h | 33% | 36% |
| July | 8.9 h | 6.9 h | 10.1 h | 9.8 h | 24% | 41% |
| August | 9.2 h | 7.9 h | 10.9 h | 10.7 h | 20% | 41% |
| September | 10.4 h | 9.1 h | 11.9 h | 11.9 h | 25% | 40% |
| October | 10.3 h | 9.9 h | 13.0 h | 13.1 h | 36% | 38% |
| November | 11.0 h | 10.7 h | 13.9 h | 14.2 h | 37% | 37% |
| December | 11.6 h | 11.5 h | 14.4 h | 14.8 h | 33% | 28% |
Seasons compared
| Months | Sydney high / low | Melbourne high / low | Sydney rain days | Melbourne rain days | Sydney sun | Melbourne sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December - February | 79° / 66° | 78° / 58° | 36 | 22 | 11.0 h | 11.2 h |
| March - May | 72° / 58° | 68° / 52° | 33 | 27 | 9.2 h | 8.5 h |
| June - August | 63° / 47° | 57° / 44° | 23 | 36 | 8.8 h | 7.2 h |
| September - November | 72° / 56° | 67° / 49° | 30 | 35 | 10.6 h | 9.9 h |
Who is warmer, month by month?
There is no seasonal flip here: Sydney holds the temperature lead in all twelve months of the year. The gap is widest in September, when Sydney's afternoons run about 7°F (4°C) ahead, and narrowest in January, when the two nearly meet.
Dataset extremes, distance and time difference
- Sydney 2015–2024 extremes: highest daily value 108° in January, lowest 34° in July. These are reanalysis values, not all-time station records.
- Melbourne 2015–2024 extremes: highest daily value 112° in January, lowest 29° in August. These are reanalysis values, not all-time station records.
- Distance: Sydney and Melbourne are about 443 miles (713 km) apart as the crow flies.
- Time difference: the two cities share the same local time right now.