Sydney Climate Summary - NSW Regional Office 

Temperatures:  It was Sydney's fourth warmest October on record with a monthly average of 19.7 deg. The warmest was 21 deg in 1988.  The average maximum temperature of 24.5 deg was more than 2 deg above the long term average and is the fourth highest on record.  There were 13 days when the temperature exceeded 26 deg, the equal highest ever recorded along with 1988. The average is 5 days. Temperatures ranged from 34 deg on the 8th to 10 deg on the 1st. 

Sunshine, fog and humidity:  Hours of sunshine were again above average with 8.7 hours per day or 65% of possible maximum. A thick fog on the 7th reduced visibility to 300 metres in the CBD area. The average humidity at 3pm of 45% is the third lowest on record. On the 8th the humidity fell to a very dry 5%.  At Engadine several houses were destroyed by bushfires on this day.

Storms, smoke and dust:   Two thunderstorms were reported during the month, one with small hail on the 13th.  The dry conditions brought significant smoke and dust haze to the Metropolitan area with visibility of 12 km or less recorded on 10 days. Smoke from bushfires in the Blue Mountains on the 25th reduced visibility in the city to 2 - 3 km while on the 23rd strong winds and thick raised dust reduced visibility to 6 km. 

Climate summary for Sydney,
October 2002
 

	October
	2002	Average	2001
Average maximum temperature (°C)	24.5	22.3*	24.0
Average minimum temperature (°C)	15.0	13.9*	14.2
Mean temperature (°C)	19.7	18.1*	19.1
Rain (mm)	5.8	77.2#	30.6
Number of rain days	6	11	11
Average daily sunshine (hours)	8.7	7.9	9.6

(Note:  Above figures are preliminary. Final figures available 9am on 1st day of month).

* Long-term temperature averages calculated since site change in 1947.
# Median October rainfall is 56mm.
Climate averages for Sydney are available, here.

Further information:
Mike De Salis, Climate and Consultancy Section, tel: (02) 9296 1555, e-mail: reqnsw@bom.gov.au

Use Weather by Fax for updates and other products: 
NSW Directory 1800 061 439
Sydney Monthly Weather Summary 1902 935 225 
NSW Monthly Weather Summary 1902 935 224 
Australian 3-month Climate Outlook 1902 935 251 
NSW Daily Rainfall Bulletin 1902 935 223