Sydney has a fairly wet, temperate climate with no single dominant dry season, averaging around 1,200 mm (about 47 inches) of rain a year, though totals can vary significantly between years depending on broader Pacific climate patterns like El Niño and La Niña. La Niña years in particular have brought prolonged, exceptionally heavy rain to the city and surrounding region, including major flooding along the Hawkesbury-Nepean river system in recent years that displaced thousands of residents. Convective thunderstorms are common in summer, sometimes producing large hail and intense short-term downpours capable of flooding low-lying streets within an hour. Because Sydney’s flood risk swings so much with these multi-year climate cycles, a single seasonal average doesn’t tell you much about any given week, which is exactly where radar tracking becomes genuinely useful for spotting an intensifying cell in real time. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology operates the national weather radar network, including a station at Terrey Hills serving the Sydney region.
Learn more: How Does Rain Radar Work? · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Sydney right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Sydney, New South Wales in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Sydney, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Sydney rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Sydney?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over New South Wales are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Sydney or pass by.
Is this Sydney rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.