Weather and climate in Newcastle (Australia)

Newcastle has a humid subtropical climate, with very mild winters (June to August) and warm summers (December to March). As for the rains, they are more abundant from February to June and less abundant from July to January, although they can vary a lot from one year to another.
The city is located on the southeastern coast of Australia, in New South Wales, 115 km (70 mi) northeast of Sydney. To the southwest of Newcastle is Lake Macquarie, a lagoon formed by salt water, while to the north, at the mouth of the Hunter River is a marshy area, protected in the Hunter Wetlands National Park. Further north is Port Stephens, a tidal bay formed by the mouth of two rivers.




Winter, from June to August, is very mild, however, cold air can sometimes arrive from the south and lower the temperature, especially at night, when it can drop to about 0 °C (32 °F).
On the other hand, in spring and summer there can be heatwaves, although they usually last for a short time (sometimes only a day or two). From November to February the heat records exceed 40 °C (104 °F). In January 2020 and February 2017, the temperature reached 45.5 °C (114 °F).
Generally, this area of New South Wales is not directly affected by tropical cyclones, which only affect the northern part of the state (see Byron Bay, Ballina), however, sometimes the remnants of a weakened cyclone can arrive here, bringing heavy rains. Cyclones typically form from mid-November to mid-May, but are more likely from January to March.

Best Time

To visit Newcastle you can choose the period from July to October, since it is the driest of the year. It must be said that sometimes it can get cold at night, especially in July and August. So the best period is spring, in September and October, even though from mid-September onwards, it can get very hot every now and then.
The sea in winter is a bit cold for swimming, as the ocean temperature is around 19 °C (66 °F), while it is warm enough for swimming from January to April.

Newcastle - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 12.2 °C (54.0 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 23.8 °C (74.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1105 millimeters (43.5 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 55 mm (2.2 in) in the driest month (August) to 130 mm (5.1 in) in the wettest one (June). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 19 °C (66 °F) in August to 24.5 °C (76 °F) in February. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Newcastle - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.8 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) and a maximum of 29.2 °C (84.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102.5 °F). However, it reached 45.5 °C (113.9 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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February is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.4 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) in February 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 45.5 °C (113.9 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.6 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) and a maximum of 26.6 °C (79.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) in March 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in March 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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April is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13 °C (55.4 °F) and a maximum of 24 °C (75.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) in April 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in April 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) and a maximum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) in May 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) and a maximum of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.8 °C (28.8 °F) in June 2010.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.4 °C (29.5 °F) in July 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) in July 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.1 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in August 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) in August 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °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 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) in September 2003.
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 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) in September 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.6 °F) and a maximum of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) in October 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) in October 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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November is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.4 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) and a maximum of 26 °C (78.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) in November 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 42.1 °C (107.8 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) and a maximum of 27.7 °C (81.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in December 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 43.7 °C (110.7 °F) in December 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 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.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.