Sydney Sunshine Hours by Month

Sunshine is key to understanding how a place experiences its seasons. This page shows the total number of hours of direct sunlight per month and the average hours per day in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages.

Monthly hours of sunshine

While the amount of sunshine in Sydney changes moderately throughout the year, the annual total remains impressive at around 2644 hours. Expect slightly brighter days in December and a subtle dip in May.

Daily hours of sunshine

This means you can enjoy sunny spells year-round. December sees up to 8.6 hours of daily sunshine, perfect for a sunny trip. May, the least sunny month, still offers a generous 6.0 hours of sun despite this cloudier / rainier time of the year.

Average percent of sunshine

On average the sun shines 73% of the time during the day in August, the highest percentage of any month. January has the lowest percentage at 53%.

Sydney enjoys an average of 2644 hours of sunshine annually. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

Athens, Greece, enjoys 2769 hours of sunshine each year, making it one of the sunniest destinations in the Mediterranean region.

In contrast, London, UK, receives only about 1659 hours of sunshine per year, known for its frequently overcast and rainy skies.

In Chicago, USA, the annual sunshine averages 2520 hours, contributing to its humid continental climate.

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual sunshine averages 2999 hours, making it one of Australia’s sunniest cities.

February, Sydney’s wettest month, receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rainfall and has a maximum daytime temperature of 26°C (79°F). During the driest month September you can expect a temperature of 20°C (68°F).

For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, check out our Temperature page. To explore more about precipitation patterns, visit our Sydney Precipitation page.