Sydney in August
What to expect
August in Sydney is late winter, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The month is mostly mild for steady exploring, with a noticeable cool-down after sunset. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing. The daylight window is balanced for full days without endless late evenings.
August in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Sydney.
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 10.9 h
- UV index (max)
- 5
- Typical sun hours
- 07:32 - 18:25
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 8 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 34%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 67%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for August. Typical high 17.4°C and low 9.1°C.
Typical disruptions in August
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in August.
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 27% of days (8.4 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.4 days / month
~27% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.4 days / month
- Probability ~27% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~8 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 7% of days (2.1 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.1 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.1 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~84km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 6% of days (2.0 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.0 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.0 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 6% of days (1.9 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.9 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.9 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~35mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (15 more)
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 4% of days (1.1 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.1 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.1 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~57mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.5 days/month in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~38mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 1% of days (0.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~92km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~71mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~95km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 38% of days (11.8 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.8 days / month
~38% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.8 days / month
- Probability ~38% of days
- Intensity Up to ~72km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~12 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 36% of days (11.2 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.2 days / month
~36% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.2 days / month
- Probability ~36% of days
- Intensity Up to ~17mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~11 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 23% of days (7.1 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.1 days / month
~23% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.1 days / month
- Probability ~23% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 20% of days (6.3 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.3 days / month
~20% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.3 days / month
- Probability ~20% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 15% of days (4.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.5 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.5 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~90% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~5 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 14% of days (4.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.5 days / month
~14% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.5 days / month
- Probability ~14% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 9% of days (2.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.7 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.7 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.9 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.9 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is August a good time to visit Sydney?
Typical August days in Sydney reach highs of 17°C (63°F) with nights around 9°C (48°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. It is one of the drier months, which suits outdoor exploring and sightseeing.
What are temperatures like in August?
Daytime temperatures in August typically peak near 17°C (63°F), while nights drop to around 9°C (48°F). Expect mild afternoons and cool evenings.
How much does it rain in August?
Rainfall in August averages 42 mm (1.7 in) across roughly 8 days. Overall it is a moderately wet time of year, so showers are usually brief rather than all-day downpours.
How many hours of daylight are there in August?
You can expect about 11 hours of daylight in August. Sunrise is typically around 07:32 and sunset near 18:25. Days are on the shorter side, so plan activities around limited daylight.
How strong is the sun in August?
UV levels are moderate (around 5); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.
Is it windy in August?
In August, average wind speeds are around 11 km/h (7 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 56 km/h (35 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.