Turramurra weather

Turramurra weather and local climate guide

Turramurra's bushland-enclosed setting

Turramurra sits near the top of Sydney's north shore ridge at 140-160 metres elevation, making it among the highest residential suburbs in metropolitan Sydney. The suburb is surrounded by significant bushland — Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to the north, Lane Cove National Park to the east, and Garigal National Park nearby. This extensive bushland enclosure creates a notably cooler, more humid, and more variable climate than coastal or harbour suburbs. Summer maximums of 27-29 degrees are moderated by forest cooling, while winter minimums of 2-5 degrees make Turramurra one of Sydney's coldest suburbs.

Cold air drainage and frost

Turramurra and neighbouring South Turramurra experience significant cold air drainage on clear, calm nights. Dense cold air slides from the elevated ridge into surrounding gullies, creating frost hollows where temperatures can drop below zero. Frost occurs 15-20 times per year in the most sheltered locations — comparable to Blue Mountains towns despite being only 20 kilometres from the harbour. The Turramurra recreation reserve and the railway corridor are particularly frost-prone, with grass temperatures dropping to -3 or -4 degrees on the coldest nights. This frost frequency is unknown in harbour or coastal suburbs.

Bushfire: a recurring threat

Turramurra's bushland enclosure creates genuine bushfire risk. The November 2019 fires burned within the suburb boundary at Turramurra's western edge, and the 2001-02 fires came close to residential areas. The combination of steep terrain, dense eucalyptus fuel, and the hot northwest winds of summer creates catastrophic fire conditions several times per decade. Turramurra's elevated position means fires burning uphill from the Lane Cove valley can reach the suburb with increased intensity. The long bush-urban interface and single-access cul-de-sacs create evacuation challenges.

Rainfall and the ridge catchment

Turramurra receives approximately 1,250 millimetres of annual rainfall, above the Sydney average due to orographic lift over the north shore ridge. The suburb sits at the headwaters of several creek systems flowing in multiple directions: east to Middle Harbour, west to Lane Cove River, and north to Cowan Creek. This ridge position means Turramurra contributes to flooding downstream but rarely floods itself due to its elevated, well-drained position. Heavy rainfall events can destabilise the steep valley walls, causing occasional landslips on tracks through the surrounding national parks.

Seasonal extremes for Sydney

Turramurra experiences the widest seasonal temperature range of any Sydney suburb commonly considered "north shore." The difference between the hottest summer day (occasionally exceeding 40 degrees during northwest wind events) and the coldest winter morning (occasionally below -1 degree) can exceed 40 degrees — a range more typical of inland NSW than coastal Sydney. This creates a genuine four-season climate: hot summers with bushfire risk, cool autumns with stunning native foliage, cold winters with regular frost, and pleasant springs with wildflower displays in the surrounding bushland.

Turramurra weather for recreation

The surrounding national parks provide Turramurra residents with extensive recreation options, all weather-dependent. Summer walking requires early starts (before 9am) to avoid heat and afternoon thunderstorm risk. Autumn (March-May) offers the most consistently comfortable bushwalking conditions with mild temperatures, low humidity, and clear air. Winter walks are best in the middle of the day after frost has melted and the sun provides warmth. The Turramurra to Bobbin Head track descends 150 metres into the warm, sheltered Cowan Creek valley — a natural sun trap that provides winter warmth when the ridge above is cold.

Explore nearby suburb forecasts

See how Turramurra's weather compares to its neighbours: Pymble weather, Hornsby weather and St Ives weather. Or browse all Sydney suburb forecasts.