Climatology of Sydney

According to the Koppen - Geiger Climate Classification map, Sydney's climate is classified as Cfb, which is a warm temperate climate that is fully humid and has a warm summer. There are several meso-scale climate controls that have an affect on the city of Sydney. Geographically, Sydney is situated in a coastal basin and in very close proximity to the Pacific Ocean. This is why Sydney has a "fully humid" climate. The ocean moderates the climate of Sydney significantly. There is ample water vapor available so the relative humidity increases with the temperature being warm. The fact that Sydney has a warm and temperate climate is very important to it having the ability to be "fully humid." Orographically speaking, there is a mountain range about 2 hours southwest of Sydney. This range is known as the Blue Mountains. Most of the precipitation that occurs in the Blue Mountains is on the western slope much like the Rocky Mountains here in Colorado. Once the moist air from the Southern Ocean comes across the southern tip of Australia, it rises due to orographic uplift. Then the air cools and condenses, producing precipitation. Once the air has dropped its precipitation, it flows down the leeward side of the mountains leaving warm descending air for the Sydney basin. Since Sydney is situated on the eastern and leeward side of the Blue Mountains, it experiences descending air that is warming adabatically at the dry adabatic lapse rate. Due to the presence of the Pacific Ocean, Sydney is dominated by the Maritime Tropical air mass. This warm moist air invades Sydney, which is the reason for the warm and humid climate.
Some micro - scale climate controls around Sydney would include the urban heat island effect that is produced from industrial manufacturing along with the large presence of automobiles that both give off heat. Also, my weather station is located right on the coast of Botany Bay, which is right where an airport is. This may cause excessive heating from anthropogenic sources such as the pollution the airplanes produce and it probably is an area of increased smog due to the presence of the airport. The average precipitation for the month of November in Sydney is 0.00 inches and there have been no changes in the precipitation record for November going back to 1996. As far as temperature is concerned, the average mean temperature in Sydney in November in 1996 was 66 degrees Fahrenheit. The average mean temperature in November in Sydney in 2011 is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The average mean temperature fluctuates some, but mainly stays in the upper 60's to lower 70's.

Below are some images to help illustrate some of the meso - scale climate controls affecting Sydney. Also look to the right to see a live webcam of Potts Point and the CBD of Sydney.

The Blue Mountains outside of Sydney. This formation is known as the Three Sisters at Echo Point
Image obtained from: http://www.toursydneyaustralia.com

Use the interactive webcam to view the Blue Mountains

This is a satellite image of the Sydney area with the coastal basin to
the north by the airport and CBD and the Blue Mountains to the southwest by the Georges river.
My weather location is right in Botany Bay by the airport, which is labeled in the image.
Also the famous natural Sydney Harbour is very visible as well.
Image obtained from: www.australian1.com

This is a chart the annual amount of rainfall and a
 graph of the annual temperatures for Sydney.
Image obtained from: www.weatherzone.com.au

These are the conditions for the month of November in 2011.
Obtained from: www.wunderground.com

These are the conditions for the month of November in 1996.
Obtained from: www.wunderground.com

Sydney and Denali National Park, AK

As you might assume, the weather and climate of Sydney is much different than that of Denali National Park in Alaska. Sydney is mainly dominated by the Tropical Maritime Tasman air mass. Conversely, the Maritime Polar and Continental Polar air masses control Denali. The climate of Sydney is a temperate coastal climate, while the climate of Denali is a mix between transitional maritime and continental climates. 

Below are a few images to illustrate the differences of landscape between Denali and Sydney

Denali National Park
Image obtained from: travelmuse.com

Sydney, Australia
Image obtained from: beautifulplacestovisit.com

These two geographical locations are very different. Sydney is located at 34 degrees south and 151.2 degrees east, while Denali is located a 63.6 degrees north and 150.9 degrees west. The elevation of the two regions is very different as well with Sydney lying around 10 feet and Denali at 1932 feet. Needless to say, they experience vast differences in their weather and climate. Sydney's climate is regulated by the surrounding ocean, while Denali is more in the interior of Alaska, so it experiences some continentality. Denali is a very mountainous region with rugged terrain, while Sydney lies in a coastal basin. Snow is a regular site in Denali, but a rarity in Sydney. Temperatures do drop in Sydney when cold polar air is brought up from Antarctica, but nothing like the extreme cold Denali experiences. Much of the moist air that is brought up from the south and Antarctica rises due to orographic uplift over the Snowy mountains just outside of Sydney. The air condenses and drops most of its moisture in the mountains. Once the air crosses the Snowy mountains, it is dry and descends and warms at the dry adiabatic lapse rate as it runs down the leeward side of the mountains. This leaves dry air that is warmer for the Sydney basin. Denali experiences a combination of two air masses that produce interesting weather. These two air masses that dominate Denali (cP and mP) experience orographic uplift and come together at the top of the Denali mountain range where Mt. McKinley is located and produce some significant weather. The continental polar air mass is to the north, which is stable, cold, dry air that is high pressure. The maritime polar air mass lies to the south and has more moisture from the ocean and is not as cold, but it is unstable. Average temperatures in Denali range from negative single digits to mid 60's according to the Denali National Park Headquarters. Averages temperatures in Sydney are more moderate and range from the upper 70's in summer to the mid 40's in winter. 

Denali weather station and blog that I compared Sydney to: Denali National Park Blog

Currently, Denali is experiencing winter, while Sydney is moving into their summer months. At my weather station, the current temperature as of 11/12/11 is 66 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 94%, and dew point of 64 degrees Fahrenheit. In Denali currently (11/12/11), the temperature is 11 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 91% and a dew point of 9 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Below are some weather maps to help illustrate weather conditions in each location. 

This is a weather forecast map of Alaska. This map is updating continually, but as of 11/15/11,
Denali is experiencing some high pressure, with some snow to the north.
There is an occluded front off the coast, and it looks like a cold front to the south.
Image obtained from: National Weather Service

This is a current weather map of Australia. This map is continually updating, but as of 11/15/11,
There is a high pressure system off the coast, but a low moving down from the north
Image obtained from: Weatherzone.com 

This is the IR satellite image of Alaska.
This image shows the cloud cover and the temperature of the clouds.
Image obtained from: The Weather Channel

This is a close up satellite image for the New South Wales and

Sydney region showing the cloud cover.

Image obtained from: www.weatherzone.com.au