New South Wales Climate and Average Weather
Climate of New South Wales: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in New South Wales month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 98° | 72° | 1,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 93° | 71° | 1,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 88° | 67° | 2,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 78° | 55° | 0,7 in | ★★★★★ |
| May | 69° | 50° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 62° | 44° | 1,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 60° | 42° | 1,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| August | 66° | 45° | 1,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 75° | 49° | 0,6 in | ★★★★★ |
| October | 83° | 56° | 1,0 in | ★★★★★ |
| November | 88° | 63° | 2,3 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 92° | 67° | 1,5 in | ★★★★★ |
Climate type: Mediterranean. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in New South Wales
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How New South Wales compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against New South Wales.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra | 306 mi | 56°F | 43°F cooler | 24 in |
| Australian Capital Territory | 316 mi | 55°F | 45°F cooler | 26 in |
Climate by city in New South Wales
3 cities mapped in this atlas
Climate by mountain in New South Wales
1 mountains and peaks mapped in this atlas
Climate by river in New South Wales
1 rivers mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit New South Wales
Go in January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: June, July and August - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for New South Wales
Today is cooler than average for October. The forecast high of 73°F is 9.9°F below the 83°F typical for this month.
A 29% chance means most of the area stays dry; a passing shower is possible but short.
No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 67°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 75°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- High-factor sunscreen and a long-sleeve sun layer for midday
- Avoid unshaded sightseeing between 10am and 4pm - the UV index peaks at 8.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid June, July and August - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
New South Wales is a state in Australia. New South Wales is an Australian state or territory. It has a population of about 8.4 million. The capital is Sydney.
Right now it is 72°F (22°C) in New South Wales with clear sky. It feels like 69°F. Today runs from 56°F to 73°F. Chance of precipitation is 29%. Sightseeing conditions score 8.7/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit New South Wales is January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December. The climate is Mediterranean. June, July and August tend to be the least comfortable months. January is the warmest month with average highs near 98°F, while July is the coldest with lows near 42°F.
The closest major airport is Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), about 309 mi away. Nearby highlights include Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach and Main Beach, Byron Bay.
In plain terms. Today is cooler than average for October. The forecast high of 73°F is 9.9°F below the 83°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 11 AM to 2 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. stargazing is the strongest bet in New South Wales today at 9.1/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about New South Wales
| Type | State |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 31°15′11.5″S 146°55′16″E (-31.2532, 146.9211) |
| Capital | Sydney |
| Population | 8.400.000 |
| Area | 309.129 sq mi |
| Time zone | Australia/Sydney |
| Local time | 10:27 PM (UTC+11:00) |
| Best months | January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December |
| Climate | Mediterranean |
Weather map for New South Wales
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore New South Wales
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is New South Wales?
New South Wales is a state in Australia. Its coordinates are -31.2532, 146.9211. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in New South Wales right now?
It is currently 72°F (22°C) with clear sky. Humidity is 28% and wind is 10 mph.
When is the best time to visit New South Wales?
January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December offer the most comfortable conditions in New South Wales, which has a Mediterranean climate. June, July and August are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is New South Wales in?
New South Wales observes Australia/Sydney (UTC+11:00). The local time is 10:27 PM.
How many people live in New South Wales?
New South Wales has a population of approximately 8.4 million.
What is the nearest airport to New South Wales?
The closest airports are Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), 309 mi away.
What are the top things to do in New South Wales?
Popular options include Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Main Beach, Byron Bay, Mount Kosciuszko and Murray River.
What places are in New South Wales?
New South Wales covers 5 places in this atlas, including Sydney, Byron Bay, Mount Kosciuszko, Newcastle and Murray River.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (au-states) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated October 26, 2026 at 10:27 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
