Two men resting on stand up paddleboards on Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Visit Canberra

Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Visit Canberra

Weather in Canberra

Frequently asked questions about the weather in Canberra

Daylight saving begins at 2am, Eastern Standard Time, on the first Sunday in October and ends at 3am Eastern Daylight Saving Time on the first Sunday in April. During this time Canberra moves to Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), UTC +11.

December experiences the longest hours of daylight with sunrise at approximately 5:45am and sunset at 8:15pm. June has the least hours of daylight with sunrise at approximately 7:10am and sunset at 5pm.

Snow occasionally falls on the capital during winter, however it is not a common occurrence. The Snowy Mountains are a three-hour drive from Canberra and are home to ski resorts including ThredboPerisherCharlotte Pass and Selwyn Snow Resort.

In winter the mornings and evenings are brisk so make sure to pack a thick, warm jacket. Take an umbrella and wear layers that can be worn as needed.

Canberra's pleasant summer weather means that shorts and t-shirts are ample during the day. Pack a light, waterproof jacket as temperatures may dip during the evening and there can be some rainfall. Canberra has an abundance of freshwater lakes, making it an aquatic playground for sailing, canoeing and waterskiing.

Visitors to Canberra should look out for the UV index in local weather reports, which describes the daily solar UV radiation intensity. Protect yourself from sunburn by using SPF30+ sunscreen, which is readily available throughout Australia at supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies, and wearing sun-smart clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.

Seasonal weather in Canberra

SUMMER

  Dec Jan Feb
Maximum temp Maximum temp
ºC | ºF
26.1 79 28 82 27.1 81
Minimum temp Minimum temp
ºC | ºF
11.4 53 13.2 56 13.1 56
Average hours of sunshine daily Average hours of sunshine daily
Avg rainfall mm Avg rainfall mm
54 59 56
Avg rainy days Avg rainy days
8 7 7

AUTUMN

  Mar Apr May
Maximum temp Maximum temp
ºC | ºF
24.5 76 20 68 15.6 60
Minimum temp Minimum temp
ºC | ºF
10.7 51 6.7 44 3.2 38
Average hours of sunshine daily Average hours of sunshine daily
Avg rainfall mm Avg rainfall mm
51 46 44
Avg rainy days Avg rainy days
7 7 8

WINTER

  Jun Jul Aug
Maximum temp Maximum temp
ºC | ºF
12.3 54 11.4 53 13 55
Minimum temp Minimum temp
ºC | ºF
1 34 -0.1 32 1 34
Average hours of sunshine daily Average hours of sunshine daily
Avg rainfall mm Avg rainfall mm
40 41 46
Avg rainy days Avg rainy days
10 11 11

SPRING

  Sep Oct Nov
Maximum temp Maximum temp
ºC | ºF
16.2 61 19.4 67 22.7 73
Minimum temp Minimum temp
ºC | ºF
3.3 38 6.1 43 8.8 48
Average hours of sunshine daily Average hours of sunshine daily
Avg rainfall mm Avg rainfall mm
52 62 64
Avg rainy days Avg rainy days
10 10 10