Weather and climate in Hobart (Tasmania)

The climate of Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, an island that is also the southernmost state of Australia, is oceanic, with mild, rainy winters and cool, quite rainy summers. Being that it's in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are of course reversed when compared to the northern hemisphere, so in July and August it is winter.
At these latitudes (we are at almost 43 degrees south latitude), the western currents prevail throughout the year, with a series of disturbances that bring rainfall especially on the west side of the island. The wind blows frequently as well.
Hobart is located in the southeast, and receives 565 millimeters (22.2 inches) of rain per year, which is not much, but the rains are well distributed over the seasons, and often occur in the form of frequent drizzle and brief showers. In summer, the rains become rarer. Here is the average precipitation.

The average temperature in Hobart ranges from 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) in July to 18 °C (64 °F) in January. So, summer is cool, but winter is mild, although the wind can exacerbate the sensation of cold.
Here are the average temperatures recorded at the airport.

Sometimes, especially in June and July, a cold air mass can reach the island, and in the hills and mountains of the interior, snow and frost can occur. In Hobart, in the coldest nights, the temperature can drop to around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) or slightly below. The coldest record is -4 °C (24.8 °F) and was set in June 1972.
Tasmania is not completely sheltered from the hot wind that can blow in summer from the Australian deserts, although this wind arrives here more rarely and with less evident effects. However, the temperature can sometimes approach or reach 38/40 °C (100/104 °F), although heat waves do not last long, and at night, the temperature becomes almost always acceptable again. The highest record is 41.4 °C (106.5 °F) and was set in January 2020.



The amount of sunshine in Hobart is not excellent because cloudy days can occur throughout the year, however, between one disturbance and another, the sun can come out: there is a maximum of 8 hours of sunshine per day in January (which is a fairly good value) and a minimum of 4 hours in June. On average, there are 2,400 hours of sunshine per year.

The sea in Hobart is cold all year round, however, it reaches 17 °C (63 °F) in February and March. Here is the average sea temperature.

Best Time

The best times to visit Hobart are autumn and spring, in particular, the periods March-April and October-November. Between the two, you can opt for the former because the latter (October-November) is a bit cooler and rainier. Summer, from December to February, would be the best season, since the temperatures are higher, the days are longer and the rains rarer, but very hot days can sometimes occur. In these cases, however, owing to wind and low humidity, the heat is quite bearable.
Considering that it can be a bit cold at night even in summer, when lows can drop below 10 °C (50 °F), it is advisable to bring a light jacket and a sweater even in this period.
The Sydney-Hobart regatta takes place in summer, in December, while the Hobart Cup (horse race), takes place still in summer, but in February.

Back to Tasmania

Hobart - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.1 °C (73.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) in January 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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February is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.4 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.1 °C (39.4 °F) in February 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in February 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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March is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.0 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and a maximum of 21.1 °C (70 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in March 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in March 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F) and a maximum of 18.2 °C (64.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in April 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 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 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.6 °C (60.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.8 °C (30.6 °F) in May 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) in May 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.0 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.6 °C (29.1 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in June 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 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 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.7 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) and a maximum of 13 °C (55.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.6 °C (27.3 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in July 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -1.8 °C (28.8 °F) in August 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) in August 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.0 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.4 °C (43.5 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in September 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 27.3 °C (81.1 °F) in September 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.8 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 33.4 °C (92.1 °F) in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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November is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) and a maximum of 19.5 °C (67.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) in November 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in November 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.3 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and a maximum of 21.4 °C (70.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 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 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.