Melbourne Weather Guide
"Four seasons in one day": the phrase was written about Melbourne (thank you, Crowded House). The city's weather is notoriously changeable, but that's part of its charm. Here's what to expect and how to prepare.
Climate Overview
Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb) with warm summers, mild autumns, cool winters, and pleasant springs. Melbourne is less humid than Sydney and Brisbane: most heat is dry heat.
Monthly Temperature & Rainfall
| Month | Avg High (°C) | Avg Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.9 | 14.3 | 47 |
| February | 25.8 | 14.5 | 48 |
| March | 23.4 | 12.6 | 50 |
| April | 20.0 | 10.1 | 57 |
| May | 16.3 | 7.8 | 67 |
| June | 13.6 | 5.9 | 68 |
| July | 13.0 | 5.1 | 68 |
| August | 14.6 | 5.8 | 66 |
| September | 17.1 | 7.3 | 59 |
| October | 19.8 | 9.2 | 66 |
| November | 22.2 | 11.1 | 60 |
| December | 24.3 | 12.9 | 54 |
Based on Bureau of Meteorology averages for Melbourne (Olympic Park). Temperatures can swing considerably: 40°C+ in summer, 2°C in winter.
Summer (Dec — Feb)
Hot, dry, and occasionally scorching. Average highs 25 — 26°C, but expect several heatwaves of 35 — 43°C. The "cool change": a southerly wind: drops temperatures dramatically in a matter of minutes, often bringing storms. What to wear: Light clothing, hat, sunscreen (sunscreen is essential: Australia has high UV). Always carry a light jacket for the evening cool change.
Autumn (Mar — May)
Many say this is Melbourne's best season. Days are warm (20 — 23°C in March, cooling to 16°C in May), nights are crisp. The city's parks put on a show with autumn colours: St Kilda Botanic Gardens and Carlton Gardens are beautiful. What to wear: Layers: t-shirt + cardigan or light jacket during the day, coat at night.
Winter (Jun — Aug)
Cool, cloudy, and damp. Average highs 13 — 14°C, lows 5 — 6°C. Rain is frequent but rarely heavy: drizzle and grey skies are common. Frosty mornings in the outer suburbs. Snow occasionally falls in the Dandenongs and Macedon Ranges but rarely in the city (last CBD snow: 2020). What to wear: Coat, scarf, gloves, boots. Houses are built for summer: indoor heating is essential. Many homes don't have central heating; use a space heater, reverse-cycle AC, or gas heater.
Spring (Sep — Nov)
Wildly changeable: warm 25°C days one week, cold 12°C rainy days the next. September/October can be windy. The famous Melbourne spring weather: sunny morning, rain at lunch, hail at 2pm, clear by 4pm, cold evening. What to wear: The ultimate layering season. Keep a compact umbrella and a jacket on you at all times.
Extreme Weather
- Heatwaves: Several days of 35 — 43°C in summer. Public pools and air-conditioned shopping centres fill up. Stay hydrated, avoid peak sun.
- Thunderstorms: Common in spring/summer with the cool change. Flash flooding possible.
- Bushfire Smoke: On bad bushfire days (usually Jan — Feb), smoke from nearby fires can drift over the city, reducing air quality. Check the EPA AirWatch website.
- Hailstorms: Occasional. The 2010 hailstorm caused $2B+ in damage. Rare but real.
Ultimate Packing List
The cardinal rule: layers, always. No matter the season, carry or own:
- Lightweight merino or cotton t-shirts
- A mid-layer (cardigan, hoodie, fleece)
- A waterproof jacket or coat (windbreaker for summer, insulated for winter)
- Comfortable walking shoes: you'll walk more than you expect
- Sunglasses and a hat: UV is intense year-round
- Compact umbrella: lives in your bag from September to February
Living With the Changeability
Melbourne’s weather is driven by its position at the bottom of the continent, where cold fronts from the Southern Ocean roll through regularly — the famous “cool change” that can drop the temperature 10°C in an hour. The practical consequence is that forecasts are best treated as ranges, and every plan needs a weather-proof option. The city’s indoor culture — arcades, laneways, galleries — exists precisely because of this.
The numbers that matter: average rainfall of about 650 mm a year spread evenly through the seasons, roughly 2,200 sunshine hours, and UV that reaches extreme levels from October to March — sunscreen is a daily essential even on cloudy days. Heatwaves (35–43°C) occur most summers; frosts are rare in the city but common in the outer east.
Dressing and Living Strategies
The Melbourne uniform is layers: a t-shirt, a jumper or cardigan, and a waterproof shell covers every season. Winter (June–August) is grey and drizzly with 5–6°C nights — a proper coat and warm home matter. Summer days are hot and dry, but the evening cool change demands a jacket even in January. The locals’ tricks: carry a compact umbrella from September to February, keep a jacket at the office year-round, and never trust a blue-sky morning — the afternoon will decide for itself.
Seasonal Checklists
- Summer: sunscreen, hat, light layers, and a jacket for the evening change
- Autumn: the best season — crisp days, golden parks, perfect walking weather
- Winter: coat, umbrella, warm home — and the city’s cosy indoor scene at its best
- Spring: the most changeable — all four seasons in one day, layers non-negotiable