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Sydney: Outlook for 2022 Account

as at 15 February 2022

  • Rainfall is likely to be above average during the 2021–22 year.
  • Inflows into the region's storages are expected to be higher than last year.

Schematic representation of the Sydney region. In 2021–22, annual rainfall is expected to be above average. End-of-year storage volume is likely to increase from last year. Water use is likely to decrease from last year.

For further information on the outlook for the region during the 2021–22 year scroll down this page or click on the links below:

 

Current water levels

  • Rainfall was above to very much above average across the region during July 2021–January 2022.
  • At 15 February 2022, storages were 96% full compared to 90% 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 of Sydney region showing the spatial distribution of the chance of exceeding median rainfall in percentage categories for March–May 2022. Rainfall has a 45–55% chance of exceeding median rainfall during March–May 2022 in the northwest of the region, a 70–75% chance of exceeding median rainfall insome part of the southeast region, and a 60–65% chance of exceeding median rainfall for the rest of the region, including Sydney. Key aspects of the rainfall map are described in the text below the figure.
Figure S8 Chance of exceeding median rainfall for the Sydney region for March–May 2022

 

  • According to the Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlook (from 10 February 2022), rainfall is expected to be above average during the next three months (March–May 2022).
  • The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a La Niña phase and is likely to end in mid-autumn 2022.
  • Total annual rainfall for 2021–2022 is likely to be above average and total inflows into the region's storages are expected to be higher than 2020–21.

 

Future commitments

  • Water use is expected to decrease compared to 2020–21, primarily due to the continued likely improved rainfall conditions.