Final answer:
Yes, a yearly rainfall of 33.5 mm is unusually low for Sydney, Australia, as it typically experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year and should receive much more than this, which is closer to amounts found in subtropical deserts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is a yearly rainfall of 33.5 mm unusually low for a randomly selected year of rain in Sydney, Australia? Yes, this is unusually low. Typically, Sydney experiences a moderate temperate climate with significant rainfall spread throughout the year.
Considering the information provided indicating that some areas in Australia can receive rainfall as low as 2 cm, which is equivalent to 20 mm, it is important to note that these regions are typically in central Australia's subtropical deserts.
Sydney is on the southeast coast of Australia with a different climate much more amenable to rainfall. For comparison, Christchurch, which is also in the southern hemisphere but on the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island, has an average annual rainfall of about 635 mm (25 inches). Areas on the western coast of New Zealand can receive as much as 115 inches (2921 mm) per year. Sydney, being situated in a temperate area, can be expected to receive more rainfall than a subtropical desert, thus 33.5 mm of annual rainfall is significantly less than average for the city.