Winter Swells And Southerlies Define Bondi's Weather Week
A typical winter week in Bondi swings between clear south-westerly mornings and southerly busters that reshape the surf and the beach overnight.
A southerly front rolling in over Bondi Beach in winter.
Winter weather along the eastern beaches tends to alternate between bright, cool days driven by south-westerlies and stretches of wet, blustery weather as low pressure systems track up the coast.
Southerly busters can arrive quickly in the late afternoon, dropping temperatures noticeably and pushing surf conditions from clean to messy within an hour.
Sea temperatures in Bondi typically sit in the mid-teens through the deepest part of winter, which is cold enough that most ocean swimmers wear a wetsuit or thermal top for anything longer than a quick dip.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Sydney is the most reliable source for day-to-day planning, while surf forecasting services give a more useful read on swell direction, wind and tide for the beach itself.
If you are planning an outdoor weekend in Bondi during winter, the safest approach is to check the forecast the night before and again that morning, and to have a wet-weather fallback in mind.
