Canberra, Australia Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Canberra
Canberra is a oceanic city - mild temperatures year-round with regular rainfall. January is the warmest month at 81°F (27°C) and July the coolest at 51°F (11°C), over 27.7 inches (704 mm) of precipitation a year.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: January - highs near 81°F (27°C)
- Coldest month: July - highs near 51°F (11°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 108°F (42°C) high · 21°F (-6°C) low
- Wettest month: November (10 rainy days) · Sunniest: December (12.1 h sun/day)
- Climate type: oceanic
- Annual swing: 15°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 11°C
- Average humidity: 74%
Temperatures through the year
Sunshine averages 9.8 hours a day over the year, peaking in December at 12.1 hours. July bottoms out at 51°F (11°C) in daylight, 35°F (1°C) after dark. January is the warm end of the year, averaging 81°F (27°C) by day and 59°F (15°C) overnight. Precipitation concentrates in November - 3.4 inches (86 mm) on 10 days - and thins out by July.
Rain, sun and snow
Six of the twelve months pair mild highs with fewer than twelve wet days; the longest unbroken run is February through April. Days and nights are about 11°C apart on average - wider than roughly 83% of the cities we track. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 108°F (42°C) and bottoms at 21°F (-6°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records.
How Canberra compares
- Canberra sits close to the middle of our dataset on most measures: 55°F (13°C) as an annual average, 27.7 inches (704 mm) of precipitation and 9.8 hours of sun a day.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81° | 59° | 9 | 3.1 in | 11.4 h/day | 67% |
| February | 79° | 57° | 6 | 1.9 in | 11.2 h/day | 68% |
| March | 74° | 54° | 8 | 2.3 in | 10.0 h/day | 71% |
| April | 67° | 47° | 6 | 2.0 in | 9.2 h/day | 76% |
| May | 58° | 40° | 6 | 1.6 in | 8.5 h/day | 82% |
| June | 52° | 36° | 7 | 2.2 in | 7.4 h/day | 86% |
| July | 51° | 35° | 8 | 1.5 in | 7.9 h/day | 84% |
| August | 54° | 36° | 8 | 2.3 in | 8.4 h/day | 81% |
| September | 60° | 40° | 6 | 2.1 in | 10.0 h/day | 74% |
| October | 67° | 46° | 9 | 2.5 in | 10.4 h/day | 70% |
| November | 72° | 51° | 10 | 3.4 in | 11.3 h/day | 67% |
| December | 78° | 55° | 8 | 2.7 in | 12.1 h/day | 63% |
Canberra month by month
Canberra weather in January
January brings highs around 81°F (27°C), lows near 59°F (15°C), about 9 wet days - typically the hottest month of the year in Canberra.
Canberra weather in February
February brings highs around 79°F (26°C), lows near 57°F (14°C), about 6 wet days.
Canberra weather in March
March brings highs around 74°F (23°C), lows near 54°F (12°C), about 8 wet days.
Canberra weather in April
April brings highs around 67°F (19°C), lows near 47°F (9°C), about 6 wet days.
Canberra weather in May
May brings highs around 58°F (14°C), lows near 40°F (4°C), about 6 wet days.
Canberra weather in June
June brings highs around 52°F (11°C), lows near 36°F (2°C), about 7 wet days.
Canberra weather in July
July brings highs around 51°F (11°C), lows near 35°F (1°C), about 8 wet days - typically the coldest month and the driest month of the year in Canberra.
Canberra weather in August
August brings highs around 54°F (12°C), lows near 36°F (2°C), about 8 wet days.
Canberra weather in September
September brings highs around 60°F (16°C), lows near 40°F (4°C), about 6 wet days.
Canberra weather in October
October brings highs around 67°F (20°C), lows near 46°F (8°C), about 9 wet days.
Canberra weather in November
November brings highs around 72°F (22°C), lows near 51°F (10°C), about 10 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Canberra.
Canberra weather in December
December brings highs around 78°F (26°C), lows near 55°F (13°C), about 8 wet days - typically the sunniest month of the year in Canberra.
Seasons in Canberra
Spring (September through November)
Through spring, Canberra is crisp but comfortable: 67°F (19°C) by day, 45°F (7°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 24 days across the season. Daylight is generous - around 10.6 hours of sun a day.
Summer (December through February)
Through summer, Canberra is mild and warm: 80°F (26°C) by day, 57°F (14°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 23 days across the season. Daylight is generous - around 11.6 hours of sun a day.
Fall (March through May)
Through fall, Canberra is crisp but comfortable: 66°F (19°C) by day, 47°F (8°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 20 days across the season.
Winter (June through August)
Through winter, Canberra is brisk and cold: 52°F (11°C) by day, 35°F (2°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 23 days across the season.
Climate questions, answered
Is Canberra hot in summer?
How sunny is Canberra?
What is the average temperature in Canberra?
What should I pack for Canberra?
Are nights cold in Canberra?
How often does it rain in Canberra?
Best time to visit Canberra
February to April and September is the sweet spot for Canberra - warm days, manageable rainfall and plenty of daylight line up. Expect 72°F (22°C) in the afternoon and around 7 days of rain in a typical month of it. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in February.
Pack for Canberra with light clothing for the warm months, a warm jacket and layers for the cooler season and a compact umbrella or rain shell. Even in January, lows of 59°F (15°C) make an extra layer worth the space.
Canberra temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.