LOCATION · Australia
Sydney Weather Radar & Live Satellite Map
Is a storm or southerly change heading for Sydney?
Sydney enjoys a temperate climate with warm, humid summers and mild winters — but its position on Australia's east coast exposes it to some sharp, fast-moving weather. Remember the seasons are flipped from the Northern Hemisphere: summer runs December to February.
Open the live map over Sydney and switch on Precip Radar and Cloud Imagery.
What to watch over Sydney
- Summer storms & southerly busters — hot afternoons can end abruptly as a southerly change races up the coast, often triggering thunderstorms. Watch for a line of showers sweeping in from the south.
- East coast lows — Sydney's heavy-hitters. These offshore lows can deliver days of rain, flooding and huge surf; on satellite they appear as a tight swirl just off the coast.
- Dry westerlies — in winter, offshore winds can bring crisp, clear, rain-free spells where radar stays empty.
Reading the map for Sydney
Weather here comes from multiple directions: westerly systems cross the continent, while the most dangerous rain events form offshore to the east and south. That's why the satellite view over the Tasman Sea is key for spotting an east coast low developing.
Open the live map over Sydney to track current conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a southerly buster?
A southerly buster is a sudden, strong southerly wind change that sweeps up the New South Wales coast, often on hot summer afternoons. It can drop the temperature sharply within minutes and kick up storms; on radar you may see a thin line of showers marking the change.
What is an east coast low?
An east coast low is an intense low-pressure system that develops off southeastern Australia, capable of bringing damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding and large surf to the Sydney region, most often in autumn and winter.
SEE IT LIVE
Everything in this guide is on one real-time map.