Climate Insights for Alice Springs

The climate in Alice Springs is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 22°C and approximately 245mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 59mm of rainfall. Alice Springs 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: January, February, December. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 6°C.

Temperatures in Alice Springs vary considerably across the year, with a 30°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. January is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 36°C and an average of 30°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 6°C and an average of 13°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 14°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.

Alice Springs is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 245mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 20mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 59mm of rainfall. December and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 2mm. That's 57mm less than January, 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.

Alice Springs is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 22km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is January, averaging 24km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 19km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 5km/h between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 19km/h in winter, 23km/h in spring, 23km/h in summer, 21km/h in autumn.

It is currently autumn in Alice Springs, which began on March 20, 2026. Alice Springs 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 January at around 36°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 6°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.

The best time to visit Alice Springs is during April, May, August, September and October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 19°C with modest rainfall averaging 9mm per month. By contrast, January can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 36°C, while July is the coldest period with lows dropping to 6°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Alice Springs 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.