Major storm events have propelled winter rainfall totals well above their long-term average for coastal regions of New South Wales, with Sydney experiencing its third wettest August since records began in 1858, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). In stark contrast, Melbourne and large parts of Tasmania reported lower than average rainfall this winter.
The BoM data reveals that Australia experienced its second coolest winter this decade, yet temperatures remained nearly half a degree above the long-term average. “It’s been a complex winter,” noted David Gooding, climate team lead at the bureau. “The high rainfall along the NSW coast was due to a few key events – those low-pressure systems that we saw.”
Sydney’s Soaked Winter
From the Illawarra region south of Sydney to the Queensland border, August rainfall was between two and four times the average, according to Gooding. The cool-season rainfall, spanning April to the end of August, was also significantly above average.
This winter, the NSW coast was hit by a “vigorous” coastal low at the beginning of July, followed by another low-pressure system in late July, resulting in torrential downpours. Sydney recorded its wettest start to August in over a decade, with the Observatory Hill rain gauge measuring 389.6mm, marking the third wettest August on record. However, this was still nearly 100mm short of the record August of 1998, when 482.6mm fell.
Meanwhile, Perth experienced its wettest winter since 1996, with over 500mm of rainfall, Gooding stated. Rising ocean temperatures around the globe, including off the NSW and Perth coasts, have been linked to global heating. Warmer ocean temperatures “give more energy for rain and storms,” Gooding explained.
Temperature Trends and Climate Context
Despite the wet conditions, the winter of 2025 was the 25th warmest on record, yet the second coolest of the decade, trailing only 2022. Nationwide, temperatures were 0.48°C above the long-term average from 1961 to 1990. Night-time temperatures were close to average, but maximum temperatures were 0.83°C above average.
This relatively cool winter follows the 2023 and 2024 winters, which were the hottest and second-hottest on record, respectively. “Maximum temperatures have been above average for most of the country, but closer to average in inland areas,” Gooding said. “With those cooler temperatures and some Antarctic fronts coming through, we have also had a close to average snow season.”
Future Climate Predictions
Looking ahead, more rain is forecast for eastern Australia in the coming months. The bureau’s spring forecast also anticipates warmer than average night-time temperatures across nearly the entire country. Since the bureau’s continent-wide records began in 1910, Australia’s climate has warmed by 1.5°C.
The 12-month period up to March this year was hotter than any other 12-month period on the nation’s record.
The announcement comes as climate experts continue to warn about the implications of global warming and its impact on weather patterns. As Australia braces for more unpredictable weather, the focus remains on understanding and mitigating the effects of climate change.
