Weather News

Sydney trying to shake itself dry

June is traditionally Sydney's gloomiest and wettest month of the year, but this June has been much gloomier and wetter than normal.

Residents been short-changed more than 20 hours of sunshine already, that's an hour per day less sunshine than average.

Low pressure systems have been a regular feature off the New South Wales coast in the past few weeks. The lows have driven cloud and rain over a much of the east of the state.

Regarding rainfall, with 100-150mm in the last few days, it has already become Sydney's wettest June in five years. The city has gained 200mm so far, 70mm more than the monthly average. Eastern suburbs have been particularly wet. Dover Heights has been drenched by 280mm this month and Rose Bay and Randwick 240mm, all doubling their monthly average only halfway through the month. Some northern and western suburbs have also put up with a wet few weeks, Homebush and Marrickville picking up about 200mm each.

Unfortunately for outdoor types, much of this rain has fallen on the weekends. It's been so wet that some sport has had to be cancelled due to sodden ovals. There is a chance of this happening again this weekend.

Cloud will roll in from western New South Wales early on Friday night as another low and pool of cold air develop. Rain won't take long to reach Sydney, starting on Saturday morning and it may last all day. Some sport will again have to be cancelled.

Thankfully for most, the whole weekend won't be a washout. Sunday is looking brighter with temperatures reaching the high teens.

Looking ahead to the rest of winter, overall temperatures and rainfall should be near average as we continue with a neutral climate phase. As we head into spring there is increased chance of sunnier, drier and warmer days due to the likely onset of El Nino.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2012

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