Climate Insights for Canberra

The climate in Canberra is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 23°C and approximately 136mm of precipitation falls per year. May is the wettest month, receiving around 33mm of rainfall. Canberra is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed — summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: June, July, May. The coldest months are April, July, March, when temperatures can drop to 7°C.

Temperatures in Canberra vary considerably across the year, with a 28°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. June is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 35°C and an average of 28°C. April is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 7°C and an average of 13°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 4°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 12°C shift in average temperatures.

Canberra is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 136mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 11mm per month. The wettest month is May, averaging 33mm of rainfall. August and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 0mm. That's 33mm less than May, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Canberra is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 5km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 8km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 2km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind speeds vary significantly across the year, with a 6km/h difference between the calmest and windiest months. This level of variation is worth factoring into travel plans. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 3km/h in winter, 5km/h in spring, 6km/h in summer, 4km/h in autumn.

It is currently winter in Canberra, which began on June 21, 2026. Canberra is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed — spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in June at around 35°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in April near 7°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 19 days from now.

The best time to visit Canberra is during January, February, March, May, July, October, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 23°C with modest rainfall averaging 11mm per month. By contrast, June can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 35°C, while April is the coldest period with lows dropping to 7°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Canberra based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.