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Sydney: Outlook for 2021 Account

as at 1 February 2021

  • Rainfall is likely to be above average during the 2020–21 year.
  • Inflows into the region's storages are expected to be much higher than last year.


For further information on the outlook for the region during the 2020–21 year scroll down this page or click on the links below:

 

Current water levels

  • Rainfall was above average across the region during July 2020–January 2021.
  • At 1 February 2021, storages were 93% full compared to 43% at the same time last year.
  • More information on current storage levels in the region is available on the Bureau of Meteorology's Water Storage website.

 

Climate outlook

Map showing the chance of exceeding median rainfall for the Sydney region for March–May 2020
Figure S8 Chance of exceeding median rainfall for the Sydney region for February–April 2021

 

  • According to the Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlook (from 28 January 2021), rainfall is expected to be above average during the next three months (February–April 2021).
  • The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a La Niña phase and is expected to persist until early autumn.
  • Total annual rainfall for 2020–21 is likely to be above average and total inflows into the region's storages are expected to be higher than 2019–20.

 

Future commitments

  • Water use is expected to be slightly less than 2019–20, primarily due to the likely improved rainfall conditions compared to last year.