Sydney shivers - coldest August since 1944

Sydney has shivered through its coldest August in 64 years.

The harbour city had an average maximum temperature during the month of 17 degrees celsius, slightly below the long-term normal of 18.

The average overnight temperature also was down one degree to eight degrees, according to the Weatherzone.com.au figures.

With the average minimum and maximum temperatures combined, Sydney's average temperature during the month came in at 12.7 degrees.

Weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Matt Pearce said while it was a sliver below the long-term normal of 13.3 degrees it was the coldest August since 1944.

"We have seen a prolonged period of very cold air across south-east Australia in general this August," Mr Pearce said.

"This has resulted in one of the best snow seasons in recent years in the Snowy Mountains, but has also kept Sydneysiders shivering."

It was also dry as Sydney picked up just 44mm of rain - well below the long-term normal of 82 mm - to make it the driest August since 2005.

"It is not that unusual to see the combination of low temperatures and low rainfall. Colder air cannot hold as much moisture as warmer air, so we would expect drier weather to accompany the chilly conditions we have experienced this month," Mr Pearce said.

He said a return to more normal rainfall patterns was expected through the rest of this year.