Weather and climate in Adelaide (Australia)

In Adelaide, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild, quite rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. Being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed compared to the northern hemisphere.
Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and is located at 30 degrees south latitude, on the coast of the Gulf St Vincent.
To the east of the city are the "Adelaide Hills", the southern part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, whose highest peak (precisely called Mount Lofty) is 715 metres (2,345 ft) high. Here, 985 mm (39 in) of rain fall per year, and in winter it can occasionally snow, a very rare event for the state of South Australia.



In the districts of Adelaide closest to the hills, the climate is rainier, in fact, precipitation, which amounts to just 440 millimeters (17.5 inches) per year at the airport, which is located in the western part, near the coast, reaches 535 mm (21 in) per year in Kent Town, in the central east part of the city.
Although the climate is mild, it is also unstable and windy. Cold air masses of Antarctic origin can arrive all year round, but especially in winter and spring, which can significantly lower the temperature.
On winter nights, the temperature can drop from time to time to about 0 °C (32 °F), while frosts are very rare. The coldest record is -2.6 °C (27.3 °F) and was set in June 1982.
On the other hand, masses of hot air can arrive from the deserts of the north, which can bring more than 35 °C (95 °F) in April and October, but also 40 °C (104 °F) and more from November to March. Generally the torrid heat lasts two or three days, and at night the coolness brought by the ocean wind returns, but sometimes it can be more persistent. In January 2014, there was a maximum temperature of 40/43 °C (104/109 °F) for five days in a row. In January 2019, it even reached 46 °C (114.5 °F), even though the scorching heat lasted only two days.

Best Time

The best periods to visit Adelaide are spring and autumn, namely the months of April-May and September-October.
For swimming, the sea is very cool, if not cold, even in summer, however, it reaches 20/20.5 °C (68/69 °F) from January to March.

Adelaide - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 430 millimeters (16.9 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 20 mm (0.8 in) in the driest months (January, February, March) to 60 mm (2.4 in) in the wettest one (June). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 14 °C (57 °F) in August to 20.5 °C (69 °F) in February. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 2765 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Adelaide - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.7 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.6 °C (83.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 8.9 °C (48 °F) in January 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40.5 °C (105.5 °F). However, it reached 45.8 °C (114.4 °F) in January 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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February is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in February 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102 °F). However, it reached 43.6 °C (110.5 °F) in February 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 51%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.2 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) in March 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in March 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.3 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) in April 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 36.9 °C (98.4 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.3 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) and a maximum of 18.7 °C (65.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 2.2 °C (36 °F) in May 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in May 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8 °C (46.4 °F) and a maximum of 16 °C (60.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in June 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.3 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) and a maximum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) in July 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 22.8 °C (73 °F) in July 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.9 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) and a maximum of 16.1 °C (61 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.3 °C (31.5 °F) in August 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 29.9 °C (85.8 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.0 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) and a maximum of 18.7 °C (65.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 33.4 °C (92.1 °F) in September 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 11.1 °C (52 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in October 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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November is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.0 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) in November 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 43.1 °C (109.6 °F) in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) and a maximum of 26.4 °C (79.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 7.2 °C (45 °F) in December 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 43.9 °C (111 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 51%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.