Best time to visit Canberra
The best time to visit Canberra for warm-weather activities is between mid-December and mid-March.
Canberra weather
Canberra has a dry continental climate with warm to hot summers and very cold winters, with year-round sunshine interspersed by occasional rain showers.
Which is the hottest month in Canberra?
The warmest month in Canberra is usually January, with an average high of 30°C (86°F) and low of 14°C (57°F).
However, on the warmest days, the temperature may climb beyond 33°C (91°F).
The warm season lasts from early-December to mid-March, with an average daily high temperature above 27°C (80°F).
Which is the coldest month in Canberra?
The coldest month in Canberra is usually July, with an average high of 12°C (53°F) and low of 0°C (32°F).
The cold season lasts from late-May to early-September, with an average daily high temperature delow 14°C (57°F).
When is it sunniest in Canberra?
The sunniest time of year in Canberra is usually February, with nine hours of sunshine per day – that's around 66% of daylight hours.
Which month has the most rain in Canberra?
December is usually the wettest month in Canberra with 74mm (3in) of rainfall on average, distributed across seven days.
The wet season lasts from June to mid-February, with a greater than 20% chance of a given day being a wet day. November and December receive the most rainfall.
The drier season lasts from mid-February through May. The month with the least wet days in Canberra is April, with 19mm (‹1in) of rainfall on average, distributed across four days.
What is the windiest month in Canberra?
The windiest month in Canberrra is usually September, with an average hourly wind speed of more than 11 kilometres per hour (7 mph; 6 knots).
Mid-June to mid-February is usually the windiest time of year in Canberra, with average wind speeds of more than 10 kilometres per hour (6 mph; 5 knots).
Canberra experiences less wind from mid-February to mid-June. The calmest month of the year in Canberra is April, with an average hourly wind speed of 9 kilometres per hour (5.6 mph; 5 knots).
The predominant wind direction in Canberra varies throughout the year.
Canberra – Temperature averages
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average high temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 30 | 28 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 27 |
| Average low temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 14 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Average daily daylight (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
| Comfort level | |||||||||||
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| Average relative humidity (%) | |||||||||||
| 65 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 80 | 85 | 85 | 76 | 69 | 64 | 65 | 62 |
| UV Index (max) | |||||||||||
| 11 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 |
| Average days of rainfall (≥1mm) | |||||||||||
| 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Average monthly rainfall (mm) | |||||||||||
| 50 | 64 | 58 | 19 | 23 | 41 | 32 | 46 | 39 | 44 | 69 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | |||||||||||
| 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Weather station: Canberra Airport (CBR), located 8km (5mi) east of Canberra CBD. Source: Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). Climate data collected during 1991 to 2022.
Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.
Latest update: Best time to visit Canberra: 12 July, 2024
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.
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