The climate of Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, is oceanic, with mild and rainy winters, and cool summers. Being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are of course reversed when compared to the northern hemisphere, so in July and August it is winter.
Tasmania is the southernmost state of Australia, and consists of the main island and some smaller islands. At these latitudes (the island is located between 40 and 43 degrees south latitude) the west winds blow throughout the year, with a series of disturbances that bring rainfall mainly on the west side of the island. The wind blows frequently as well.
Hobart is located in the southeast, and receives 570 millimetres (22.5 inches) of rain, which is not much, but the rains are well distributed over the seasons (although summer is the least rainy season), and often occur in the form of frequent drizzle and brief showers.
Here is the average precipitation.

The average temperature in Hobart goes from 8.5 °C (47.5 °F) in July to 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) in January and February: summer is cool, but winter is mild, although the wind can exacerbate the sensation of cold. Sometimes, especially in June and July, a mass of cold air can reach the island, and in hills and mountains in 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.
Even Tasmania, like the rest of southern Australia, in summer does not escape the hot desert wind, although here this wind comes more rarely and is generally attenuated. However, the temperature can sometimes approach or reach 38/40 °C (100/104 °F), although these heat waves do not last long, and at night the temperature becomes almost always acceptable again.
Here are the average temperatures.

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



The sea in Tasmania is cold all year round, however it reaches 17 °C (63 °F) from January to March in the southern part (see Hobart), and 18 °C (64 °F) in the north.

When to go

The best times to visit Hobart are autumn and spring, therefore in March-April and October-November, with a preference for the former, because the latter (October-November) is a bit cooler and more rainy. Summer, from December to February, would be the best season, as the temperatures are higher, the days longer and rains rarer, but sometimes you may encounter very hot days: in these cases, however, the heat is quite bearable, due to wind and low relative humidity.
Considering that it can be a bit cold at night even in summer, since lows can drop below 10 °C (50 °F), it is advisable to bring a light jacket and a sweater, also in this period.
The Sydney-Hobart regatta takes place in summer, in December, as well as the Hobart Cup (horse race), which takes place in February.

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