Climate - Melbourne (Australia)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Melbourne (Australia)
In Melbourne, a city of southern Australia and the capital of the state of Victoria, the climate is subtropical oceanic, with mild winters and pleasantly warm summers.
Although it has a mild climate, Melbourne is subject to temperature swings because it can be reached both by cold air masses from the sea surrounding Antarctica and by hot and dry air masses from the Australian desert. In addition, the city is located enough to the south to be affected by the flow of westerly winds, which bring low pressure systems for several months a year. As a result, the weather is often variable, so much so that it is said that the four seasons can be experienced on the same day.
The wind is quite frequent too, since the westerlies regularly blow for most of the year, while in summer, when the weather is sunny, the sea breeze blows in the afternoon. Not coincidentally, around Melbourne, there are several beaches frequented by surfers.
Here are the average temperatures at the Laverton weather station.
Melbourne - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 14.6 | 26 | 20.3 | 58 | 79 | 68.5 |
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| February | 14.7 | 25.9 | 20.3 | 58 | 79 | 68.5 |
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| March | 12.9 | 23.9 | 18.4 | 55 | 75 | 65.1 |
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| April | 9.9 | 20.5 | 15.2 | 50 | 69 | 59.4 |
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| May | 8.1 | 17.1 | 12.6 | 47 | 63 | 54.7 |
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| June | 6.2 | 14.5 | 10.4 | 43 | 58 | 50.6 |
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| July | 5.6 | 14.1 | 9.8 | 42 | 57 | 49.7 |
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| August | 5.8 | 15.2 | 10.5 | 42 | 59 | 50.9 |
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| September | 7.1 | 17.4 | 12.2 | 45 | 63 | 54 |
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| October | 8.6 | 20 | 14.3 | 47 | 68 | 57.7 |
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| November | 10.8 | 22.1 | 16.5 | 51 | 72 | 61.6 |
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| December | 12.5 | 24.2 | 18.4 | 54 | 76 | 65 |
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| Year | 9.7 | 20 | 14.85 | 49.5 | 68.1 | 58.5 |
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In the Melbourne area, rainfall is not abundant, however, it is scarcer in the southwestern districts, where it drops below 450 millimeters (17.7 inches) per year, and more abundant in the northern and eastern ones, which are closer to the mountains. In the center of Melbourne it amounts to 600 mm (23.5 in) per year, and it is well distributed, so that there is no real dry season. However, the least rainy season is the winter, at least in quantity. Here is the average precipitation.
Melbourne - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 45 | 1.8 | 6 |
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| February | 50 | 2 | 5 |
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| March | 40 | 1.6 | 6 |
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| April | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
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| May | 45 | 1.8 | 8 |
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| June | 50 | 2 | 9 |
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| July | 40 | 1.6 | 8 |
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| August | 45 | 1.8 | 9 |
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| September | 55 | 2.2 | 10 |
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| October | 55 | 2.2 | 9 |
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| November | 65 | 2.6 | 8 |
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| December | 60 | 2.4 | 6 |
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| Year | 600 | 23.6 | 91 |
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Winter, from late May to August, is mild, but also quite windy, in addition, some houses have no heating or are poorly insulated, so the feeling of cold is greater than one might expect. The rains are quite frequent. However, between one disturbance and another, there may also be some sunny days. The average temperature of the coldest month, July, is 10 °C (50 °F).
Very cold days are rare, however, outbreaks of cold air of Antarctic origin can bring the night temperature down to around 0 °C (32 °F), sometimes even in September and October. From June to August, there can sometimes be slight frosts, especially in the suburbs. At Melbourne airport, the temperature dropped to -2.5 °C (27.5 °F) in July 1982 and August 1986.
Spring, from September to November, is initially cool, and then becomes progressively milder. Owing to the clash between air masses, spring is a quite rainy and windy season.
Summer, from December to mid-March, is pleasantly warm, since the maximum temperature is usually about 24/26 °C (75/79 °F). Nights are cool, actually they can sometimes be a bit cold, since lows can drop to 8/10 °C (46/50 °F). The sun often shines, the wind blows frequently, and although it is the season in which the rains are rarest, low pressure systems can still affect this area, bringing rainfall. In addition, some short thunderstorms can break out.
Although the summer is normally not hot, and sometimes can be cool, at times, there can be heatwaves, when the winds blow from the north, ie from the red-hot Australian desert. If the heat wave is not too intense, the temperature remains about 30/35 °C (86/95 °F), otherwise, it can sometimes exceed 40 °C (104 °F). For example, in January 2014, the temperature exceeded 40 °C (104 °F) for 5 days, including 4 days in a row with a maximum of 44 °C (111 °F), but a few days before the heat wave, the minimum temperature was 8 °C (46.5 °F), and a few days later, it dropped again to 10 °C (50 °F).
In February 2009 the temperature reached 46/47 °C (115/117 °F) in the various areas of the city, even though only for one day.
This confirms the fact that these heat waves are short periods in a climate which for the rest is mild.
Autumn, from mid-March to late May, is mild, and becomes progressively cooler and rainier over the weeks. As usual, there is a fair amount of windy days, and it can get a little cold at night, in fact, the temperature can drop below 5 °C (41 °F).
The amount of sunshine in Melbourne is better in summer, from December to February, when sunny days are quite frequent, while in the rest of the year, it is just acceptable because, as we mentioned, weather disturbances often pass over the area. In winter, there can also be a bit of fog. On average there are 2,385 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Melbourne - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 9 | 275 | February | 8 | 230 | March | 7.5 | 225 | April | 6 | 185 | May | 4.5 | 145 | June | 4 | 125 | July | 4.5 | 135 | August | 5.5 | 165 | September | 6 | 185 | October | 7.5 | 225 | November | 7.5 | 225 | December | 8.5 | 265 | Year | 6.5 | 2385 |
The sea in Melbourne is never warm, actually, it is cold most of the year, and only reaches 18/19 °C (64/66 °F) from January to March. In the closed and sheltered Port Philip Bay, however, the sea is slightly warmer in summer. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Melbourne - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 18 | 65 | February | 19 | 66 | March | 18.5 | 65 | April | 17.5 | 64 | May | 16 | 61 | June | 15 | 59 | July | 14 | 57 | August | 13.5 | 56 | September | 13.5 | 56 | October | 14 | 57 | November | 15.5 | 60 | December | 16.5 | 62 | Year | 15.9 | 60.6 |
Best Time
The best periods to visit Melbourne are spring and autumn, namely the months of April-May and September-October: in this way, you can avoid the hot periods in summer, which, however, hit the city for a few days per year. It must be said that spring and autumn are quite rainy and windy.
If it wasn't for the risk of scorching heat, summer, from December to March, would be preferable.
November can be an interesting month, at the end of spring: it is pleasantly warm, quite sunny, and with a lower risk of heat waves than in summer.
However, even in summer, there can be a bit of cool weather, or even cold, in the evening and at night, so it will be useful to bring a sweatshirt and a light jacket.
Melbourne - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.3 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) and a maximum of 26 °C (78.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) in January 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40.5 °C (105 °F). However, it reached 45 °C (113 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
February, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.3 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in February 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 47.5 °C (117.5 °F) in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) and a maximum of 23.9 °C (75 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 40.9 °C (105.6 °F) in March 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.2 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) in April 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 35.5 °C (95.9 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) and a maximum of 17.1 °C (62.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) in May 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in May 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% 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.
June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.4 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) and a maximum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) in June 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.8 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.1 °C (26.4 °F) in July 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) in July 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) in August 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 26.8 °C (80.2 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in September 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.3 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) and a maximum of 20 °C (68 °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 °C (30.2 °F) in October 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
November is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 1.5 °C (34.7 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) in November 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 45.2 °C (113.4 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 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 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
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