Rainy Days in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane: What the BoM Data Shows
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Melbourne and Sydney both average about 100 days a year with at least 1 mm of rain, while Brisbane averages about 84. But the totals hide big differences: Melbourne gets frequent, light rain (648 mm a year), Sydney gets fewer but heavier falls (1,213 mm), and Brisbane's rain is concentrated in the warmer months.
Those numbers come from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's (BoM) published climate averages. A "rain day" here means a day with 1 mm or more of rain, so drizzle that doesn't reach that mark isn't counted. Here is how the three cities compare.
Average rain days per month (days with 1 mm or more)
| Month | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.6 | 5.6 | 8.5 |
| February | 9.0 | 5.1 | 9.6 |
| March | 9.9 | 6.1 | 10.1 |
| April | 8.9 | 7.9 | 7.1 |
| May | 8.6 | 9.7 | 6.6 |
| June | 8.8 | 9.4 | 6.1 |
| July | 7.4 | 9.7 | 4.0 |
| August | 7.1 | 10.4 | 3.9 |
| September | 7.1 | 10.4 | 3.6 |
| October | 7.9 | 10.2 | 7.2 |
| November | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.0 |
| December | 7.9 | 7.2 | 8.8 |
| Year | 99.5 | 100.0 | 83.5 |
Source: BoM climate statistics. Sydney: Observatory Hill (1858 to 2020). Melbourne: Regional Office (rainfall record 1855 to 2015). Brisbane: station 040913 (rain days based on 27 years of data to 2026). Records cover different periods, so treat comparisons as a guide.
Sydney: rain spread across the year
Sydney's rain days barely move from month to month, ranging from 7.1 in August and September to 9.9 in March. The Observatory Hill record puts June as the wettest month by volume, at a mean of 133.1 mm. In practice that means there is no reliably dry season, and an umbrella or a pair of shoes that cope with wet pavements are useful in any month.
Melbourne: the most rain days, the least rain
Melbourne tops the table at 100 rain days a year, yet it receives the lowest annual total, 648.3 mm, roughly half of Sydney's. The pattern is clear: the cooler months from May to October each bring about 9 to 10 rain days, while January and February drop to around 5. October is the wettest month by volume, at 66.0 mm. Frequent light showers are what make wet-footed commutes common in Melbourne.
Brisbane: a wet summer and a dry winter
Brisbane has the strongest seasonal swing. March averages 10.1 rain days, but September averages just 3.6. February is the wettest month by volume, at 171.7 mm (that mean is based on 19 years of data). If you live there, the rain tends to arrive as warm-season downpours rather than steady cool-season drizzle.
What this means for your shoes
With 80 to 100 rain days a year in all three cities, wet footwear is a regular problem rather than an occasional one. A few practical points:
- Rotate pairs. Shoes need time to dry out between wears. Our guide on how to dry wet shoes without damaging them covers what to do and what to avoid.
- Check what the label means. "Water-resistant" and "waterproof" are not the same thing; see what the labels really mean.
- Think about warm days too. In Brisbane and Sydney, much of the rain falls in warm weather, so breathability matters. We look at that in are waterproof shoes breathable?
For context on the other side of the Tasman, see our city-by-city look at New Zealand rainfall.
One factual note: Oszea's ZEA-TEX shoes, such as the Tasman and Urban, use a four-layer construction with a breathable knit outer, a waterproof membrane, a flexible elastomer layer and a soft inner lining. They are designed for rain, puddles and wet grass, not for full submersion.
FAQ
Which Australian city has the most rainy days?
Based on the BoM averages above, Melbourne (100.0 days a year) and Sydney (99.5) are almost level, with Brisbane lower at 83.5. Note that the station records cover different periods.
Is Melbourne really rainier than Sydney?
It has slightly more days with 1 mm or more of rain, but much less total rainfall: 648.3 mm a year against Sydney's 1,213.4 mm. Melbourne's rain is more frequent and lighter.
When is Brisbane's driest month?
September, with an average of 3.6 rain days. August (3.9) and July (4.0) are close behind.
What counts as a rain day?
In these BoM tables, a day with at least 1 mm of rain. Lighter drizzle can still wet your shoes without being counted.
Related reading
- Wet-Weather Guide to Sydney: Rain, Storms and What to Wear on Your Feet
- Wet-Weather Guide to Melbourne: Four Seasons in a Day and What to Wear on Your Feet
- Wet-Weather Guide to Brisbane: Summer Storms and What to Wear on Your Feet
- Wet-Weather Guide to Perth: Winter Rain and What to Wear on Your Feet