Climate - Canberra (Australia)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Canberra
The climate of Canberra can be described as semi-continental, as winters (from June to August) are quite cold and summers (from December to February) are warm to hot, although there are some oceanic features.
Canberra is the capital of Australia and is located in the south-east of the country, at an altitude of 570 metres (1,870 feet), in the small territory of the Australian Federal Capital, within New South Wales.
South and west of the city is the Brindabella Range, the northernmost part of the Australian Alps.
Due to its location in southeastern Australia, not far from the ocean and at a fairly high altitude, Canberra's climate is different from that of the main Australian cities, and in particular it is more cold in winter. In this season, during periods of stable weather, the temperature can drop a few degrees below freezing at night, and fog can form.
During cold spells, the temperature can drop to -7/-8 °C (18/19 °F). The coldest record is -10 °C (14 °F) and was set in July 1971.
Sometimes it can even snow. Canberra is blanketed in snow about every 15 years, usually by a few centimeters, while there is a light snowfall about every three years.
However, snow is much more frequent in the mountains west of the city.
The heaviest snowfall occurred in August 1965. Snowfalls usually occur from late May to late August, but in 1987 it even snowed in October, in late spring.
In fact, irruptions of cold air of Antarctic origin, which are felt more than at sea level, can also occur in spring, but basically in all seasons, so much so that the temperature can occasionally drop to 5 °C (41 °F) or below even in midsummer, in January and February.
However, like the rest of Australia, Canberra can be affected by masses of hot air from the desert. In these cases, the temperature can reach 38/40 °C (100/104 °F) from November to March. In January 2020, the heat record was broken with 44 °C (111 °F).
Best Time
To visit Canberra you can choose the summer, from December to February, as it is the warmest period of the year. However, since it can sometimes get very hot, you can choose the intermediate periods, i.e. from mid-March to mid-April and from mid-October to mid-November.
Canberra - Climate data
In Canberra, the average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 6.0 °C (42.9 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 21.6 °C (70.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.Canberra - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 13.8 | 29.4 | 21.6 | 57 | 85 | 70.9 |
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| February | 13.3 | 27.9 | 20.6 | 56 | 82 | 69.1 |
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| March | 10.6 | 25 | 17.8 | 51 | 77 | 64 |
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| April | 6.3 | 20.9 | 13.6 | 43 | 70 | 56.5 |
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| May | 2.5 | 16.6 | 9.6 | 36 | 62 | 49.2 |
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| June | 0.9 | 13.1 | 7 | 34 | 56 | 44.6 |
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| July | -0.2 | 12.3 | 6.1 | 32 | 54 | 42.9 |
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| August | 0.6 | 13.9 | 7.2 | 33 | 57 | 45 |
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| September | 3.2 | 17.2 | 10.2 | 38 | 63 | 50.4 |
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| October | 6 | 20.8 | 13.4 | 43 | 69 | 56.1 |
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| November | 9.1 | 24.1 | 16.6 | 48 | 75 | 61.9 |
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| December | 11.7 | 27 | 19.4 | 53 | 81 | 66.8 |
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| Year | 6.4 | 20.6 | 13.5 | 43.6 | 69.2 | 56.5 |
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In Canberra, precipitation amounts to 580 millimeters (22.8 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 25 mm (1 in) in the driest month (April) to 70 mm (2.8 in) in the wettest one (November). Here is the average precipitation.Canberra - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 60 | 2.4 | 5 |
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| February | 55 | 2.2 | 5 |
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| March | 40 | 1.6 | 4 |
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| April | 25 | 1 | 4 |
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| May | 30 | 1.2 | 4 |
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| June | 50 | 2 | 6 |
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| July | 45 | 1.8 | 6 |
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| August | 45 | 1.8 | 6 |
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| September | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
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| October | 50 | 2 | 7 |
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| November | 70 | 2.8 | 8 |
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| December | 55 | 2.2 | 5 |
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| Year | 580 | 22.8 | 67 |
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In Canberra, there are on average around 2815 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Canberra - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 9.5 | 295 | February | 9 | 255 | March | 8 | 250 | April | 7.5 | 220 | May | 6 | 185 | June | 5 | 155 | July | 6 | 180 | August | 7 | 215 | September | 7.5 | 230 | October | 8.5 | 265 | November | 9 | 265 | December | 9.5 | 290 | Year | 7.7 | 2815 |
Canberra - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Canberra is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.6 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 13.8 °C (56.8 °F) and a maximum of 29.4 °C (84.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) in January 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 44 °C (111.2 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In February, the weather in Canberra is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in February 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 42.7 °C (108.9 °F) in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
In March, the weather in Canberra is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) and a maximum of 25 °C (77 °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 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) in March 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 37.5 °C (99.5 °F) in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
In April, the weather in Canberra is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.7 °C (25.3 °F) in April 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.8 °C (89.2 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 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 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
In May, the weather in Canberra is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 9.6 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) and a maximum of 16.6 °C (61.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
In June, the weather in Canberra is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in June 2017.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 20.1 °C (68.2 °F) in June 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 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 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
In July, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Canberra is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.0 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22 °F). However, it dropped to -8.7 °C (16.3 °F) in July 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it reached 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) in July 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
In August, the weather in Canberra is usually quite mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in August 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 21.9 °C (71.4 °F) in August 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
In September, the weather in Canberra is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 10.2 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) and a maximum of 17.2 °C (63 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -6.8 °C (19.8 °F) in September 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in September 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
In October, the weather in Canberra is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 6 °C (42.8 °F) and a maximum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.4 °C (25.9 °F) in October 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 32.1 °C (89.8 °F) in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 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 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In November, the weather in Canberra is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) and a maximum of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.5 °C (29.3 °F) in November 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in November 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 8 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 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In December, the weather in Canberra is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.4 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 5 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 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
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