Sydney set for rainy Christmas

Sydney looks far from postcard perfect under dreary, dark skies so far this summer.

Less than two weeks into December, Richmond has already received 176mm of rain.

In comparison, over the entire summer last year it only received 120mm.

Penrith has also had its wettest December since records began with 144mm falling in the gauges – more than double the average.

Weatherzone senior meteorologist Rob Sharpe confirmed the city has copped a drenching.

“It’s been quite a remarkable start to summer in Sydney with nine thunderstorms days in a row and over 60,000 lightning strikes,” he said.

“There are some early indications that a low pressure trough is probably going to be sitting over inland parts of NSW so that means that there is the chance of a shower or thunderstorm in the afternoon on Christmas Day.”