The climate in Australia varies greatly from state to state, so it is important to do your research before visiting a certain area of the country. Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and is located on the south coast of the country. This cosmopolitan city is bubbling with cultural, musical and artistic events throughout the year. Located in a bay, the Melbourne climate is mild. This post will provide a detailed guide to the weather and temperatures to expect during your stay in this amazing city.
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Best season to visit Melbourne
Weather in Melbourne can be very unpredictable at times. It is not uncommon to hear that the city can experience the “four seasons in one day”! Thus it can be very hot and in a few hours the temperature drops by 10°C and it is pouring!
Due to a relatively temperate climate, you can visit Melbourne throughout the year. However, it is recommended to visit the city between October and May. This is when the temperatures are mild with heatwaves and rainfall least likely. Although this is when it is most popular with tourists, with peak crowds expected in October, November and December.
For outdoors activities such as trips to the beach and picnics in the park, it is best to visit Melbourne in summer. January is an ideal month to discover the city with little rain and warm temperatures. For swimming, in Melbourne, head to St Kilda. The water temperature remains quite cold throughout the year, but you can still swim during the warmer months, which is incredibly refreshing.
The climate in Melbourne
Due to its location in Port Phillip Bay, the Melbourne climate is known as an Oceanic climate. Unlike the north of the country which has only two seasons (wet and dry) Melbourne, has four seasons. However, they are reversed in comparison to those of the Northern hemisphere.
Summer is from December to February, with mild to hot weather.
In winter, during June to August, the average temperature ranges from 7 to 15 ° C.
The spring, is from September to November, with average temperatures of 8-22 ° C. Temperatures are similar during the Autumn months, from March to May.
The sunshine is good but not excellent in Summer. From August, Melbourne has about 4 to 5 hours of sunshine a day but is otherwise cloudy.
The rainfall in Melbourne is not as heavy as the North (less than 700 mm per year). The rains are spread over the year with the Summer months often driest.
Ultimately, the weather in Melbourne is very unpredictable. It can be very hot (sometimes exceeding 35° C) and in a few hours, the temperature drops 10 °C with heavy showers! The Melbourne climate is often known as having ” four seasons in one day” – once you visit, you will soon understand this to be true!
| Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
| Min (°C) | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Max (°C) | 26 | 26 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 13 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 42 | 45 | 39 | 54 | 48 | 40 |
| Months | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Min (°C) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Max (°C) | 13 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 24 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 43 | 47 | 50 | 59 | 58 | 52 |
The seasons in Melbourne
The winter in Melbourne, from June to August, is cold and cloudy. Temperatures vary between 5 and 14 ° C during the day. There is even snowfalls regularly in the Northeastern state of Victoria (High Country). So plan on packing warm clothes as you will need them.
The spring, from September to November, is mild. However, this is the most unpredictable season of the year with the weather prone changing quickly. October is the rainiest month of the year, so pack warm clothes, a waterproof jacket and umbrella.
During the summer months, the days are warm, and the average temperatures vary between 13 and 26 ° C. It is not uncommon to have heatwaves in Melbourne that can last up to several days. Often the “Australian Open” tennis tournament (in January), have games suspended due to these heatwaves.
The fall in April and May is fresh with fog common during the mornings and average temperatures between 10 and 20 ° C.
FAQ About Melbourne Climate
When is the change of time/daylight saving time in Melbourne?
Daylight savings are made on the first Sunday in October of each year. During this period, Melbourne is moving into the UTC +11 time zone. The transition to winter time is the first Sunday in April. During this period, Melbourne goes into the UTC +10 time zone.
What time does the sunrise and set in Melbourne?
The longest days are in Summer, particularly in December. The sun rises around 6 am and sets around 8:45 pm. In June, in the middle of winter, the days are much shorter. The sun rises around 7:30 am and goes down at 5 pm.
What clothes do you need to pack to handle the Melbourne climate?
The weather can be very unpredictable in Melbourne. It is essential to be prepared with clothing to suit all climates, as well as an umbrella. Pack lightweight layers which can be added on or removed as necessary, not forgetting a waterproof jacket and appropriate shoes!
