Climate in Alice Springs (Australia)

The climate of Alice Springs is subtropical desert, with mild, dry winters (during which it can get cold at night) and very hot summers, during which good weather prevails but some thunderstorms can break out. The sun shines all year round.
The city is located in central Australia, just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, and is the third largest city in the Northern Territory after Darwin and Palmerston (which, however, are much further north, in the tropical humid zone).
We are in an area of hills and mountains, the MacDonnell Range, which further west reach 1,531 meters (5,023 ft) in Mount Zeil.



The altitude, 575 meters (1,885 feet) above sea level, lowers the temperature slightly compared to areas of the Outback located at lower elevations.
In winter, from June to August, sometimes the temperature can drop a few degrees below freezing, although during the day, with the sun, it rises considerably. The coldest record is -7.5 °C (18.5 °F) and was set in July 1976.
In summer, from November to March, it can get very hot during the day, and the temperature can exceed 40 °C (104 °F), with peaks of 45 °C (113 °F) from December to February.
However, during certain periods, it can be cool at night.
Even though the climate can be defined as desert, in this season, as mentioned, thunderstorms can break out, the frequency and intensity of which can vary according to the year.

Best Time

To visit Alice Springs you can choose winter, from June to August, as it is the coolest and driest period of the year.

Alice Springs - Climate data

In Alice Springs, the average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 29.7 °C (85.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 275 millimeters (10.8 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 3.8 mm (0.1 in) in the driest month (August) to 50 mm (2 in) in the wettest one (January). Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 3500 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Alice Springs - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 29.7 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 22.3 °C (72.1 °F) and a maximum of 37.1 °C (98.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in January 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 42.5 °C (108.5 °F). However, it reached 45.6 °C (114.1 °F) in January 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 32%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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February is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 21.1 °C (70 °F) and a maximum of 35.8 °C (96.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41 °C (106 °F). However, it reached 45 °C (113 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 35%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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March is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.7 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) and a maximum of 33.5 °C (92.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F). However, it reached 42.7 °C (108.9 °F) in March 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 33%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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April is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.1 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) and a maximum of 29.3 °C (84.7 °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 1.4 °C (34.5 °F) in April 2001.
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 39.9 °C (103.8 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 35%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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May is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 8 °C (46.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 34.3 °C (93.7 °F) in May 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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June is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.1 °C (68.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in June 2002.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 31.5 °C (88.7 °F) in June 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 10.3 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.3 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.6 °C (21.9 °F) in July 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in July 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 13 mm (0.5 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 84% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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August is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.1 °C (24.6 °F) in August 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) in August 2009.
Precipitation amounts to only 3.8 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 87% of the time.
The average humidity is 34%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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September is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.8 °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 -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) in September 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) in September 2012.
Precipitation amounts to only 7.8 mm (0.3 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 27%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).

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October is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23.4 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 31.9 °C (89.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in October 2016.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103 °F). However, it reached 41.8 °C (107.2 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 27%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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November is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 26.4 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) and a maximum of 34.4 °C (93.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41 °C (105.5 °F). However, it reached 43.7 °C (110.7 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 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 29%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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December is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) and a maximum of 35.7 °C (96.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) in December 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 42 °C (107.5 °F). However, it reached 45.7 °C (114.3 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 32%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).