Melbourne Weather
Article Published: 20th August 2023
People say Melbourne has 4 seasons in one day! Melbourne weather sure is unpredictable and can change at any time. It is simultaneously loved and loathed and I for one love it! We decided to devote an article to one of the defining features of this amazing city, the Melbourne weather.
Melbourne Weather Today
Current Melbourne weather including hour by hour, temperature and forecast. Set to Melbourne CBD weather but generally relevant to the area of Melbourne.
Melbourne Weather Forecast
7 day forecast of Melbourne weather. Tomorrow and rest of the week information.
Contents
Temperature in Melbourne
Despite some day to day variations (ok…hour to hour), you can enjoy Melbourne comfortably throughout the year. Compared to a lot of cities in the world, the climate and seasons are actually quite mild and temperate generally speaking.
Summer – December to February Temperature
While each year varies a bit, in December, January and February, average temperatures are between about 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. The driest months in Melbourne, there will be occasional very hot days with temperatures going past 30 degrees (in January and February usually, around the time of the Australian Open).
Autumn – March to May Temperature
The weather cools in autumn between March and May in Melbourne with temperatures now from about 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. Still a decent number of sunny days but the temperatures gradually drop and the winds pick up.
Winter – June to August Temperature
In cold winter, average temperatures range from 6 to 15 degrees. There is no snow in Melbourne but the mountains of Victoria do get snowfall. The coldest period of the year with cold winds and occasional frosts. Some rainfall but not too much generally.
Spring – September to November Temperature
In spring, it is beginning to heat up. But spring is not predictable at all. The weather and temperature can change in an instant (more than average even for Melbourne standards!). It is also the season with the most rain so make sure you bring an umbrella. Average temperatures are from about 9 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Why is the weather so unpredictable in Melbourne?
Melbourne’s residents adapt to the local climate with layered clothing, a jacket, umbrella or sunglasses in the car or bag ready for a weather change. But why is this so?
The chaotic and dynamic weather can be attributed to range of factors. Geographical, meteorological and climatic factors are at play.
We will try to keep it as simple as possible.
Geographical Location
Melbourne is positioned at the intersection of the hot continental Australia and the cold Southern Ocean and South Pole. Hot above, cold below. The weather systems intersect here. So you get wild, unpredictable (at least to us mortals) temperature swings and weather changes.
Imagine a gust of air from the South Pole followed by one from sunny Queensland. Not entirely accurate, but gives you a picture.
Topography
Melbourne’s surrounding has an impact as well. The area’s topography (the arrangement of natural physical structures in an area), in particular the Great Dividing Range, plays a big part for the dynamic weather patterns.
Kind of like the strong wind channels in the linear laneways of the CBD, the mountainous ranges can funnel weather systems which are passing as well as make other harder to pass.
Four Seasons
The Melbourne climate has four distinct seasons. You get a real summer and winter. And also distinct autumn and spring. The change from one to another can lead to rapid changes and rather unpredictable weather conditions.
The Influence of the Southern Ocean
Cold systems from the Southern Ocean can rush in leading to sudden temperature drops. Where is my jacket and scarf today!
Low Pressure Systems and Complex Wind Patterns
This one is more technical but let’s say strong winds and low pressure weather systems can bring some pretty significant weather patterns along with them.
Melbourne weather really is not that bad…
We add up all those factors from above and we end up with some funky, impulsive weather here in Melbourne.
But it is not that bad and I for one, LOVE it!
You adapt
Sure it can be a bit challenge for visitors and residents, but it is part of our identity.
Heading out tomorrow? Wear a couple of layers, invest in a scarf and jacket. And keep a spare umbrella in your car. Problem solved. You are ready for Melbourne now!
Compared to so many (maybe most) European, North American, South American and Asian cities, Melbourne’s climate is actually really so mild.
It is less humid
The weather down here is way less humid than some other major cities in Australia.
You sweat less. You breathe easier.
It rains less than in Sydney
Yep, it’s true. Half of the annual rainfall by total actually!
This may be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it. But if you walk to work like me, you selfishly appreciate it.
You look cooler in that jacket or with a scarf anyway
It is true and the Queenslanders know it!
Melbourne fashion is just so much cooler and more stylish because of the weather.
If you don’t like the Melbourne weather, just wait a few minutes
This famous saying is so true. If you are not happy with weather right now, give Melbourne a chance to change it for you in the next few minutes! Rain will turn to blue sky if you just hang on a little while…
References:
- Weather Widget for widgets used on this page
- Science Matters, University of Melbourne, accessed online in July 2023
- Oxford Online Dictionary and Definitions, accessed online in August 2023
- Weatherzone Sydney and Melbourne rainfall information website, accessed August 2023
Important to note: The content of the articles on Melbourne Buddy (and especially anything related to the weather down here!!) can change at any time. While we make every effort to keep the information up to date and factual, no guarantees are made to the accuracy of the information provided. We use third party widgets to provide the latest weather information and we provide no guarantee as to how correct these are. Always do your own research and confirm any details prior to using it to make any decisions.
Fantastic article on Melbourne weather! The information you provide is important and handy for my trip. Thank you for sharing!