Melbourne Weather & Climate

Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and is renowned for its varied climate and unpredictable weather. However as Australia's southernmost mainland state, Melbourne's weather is cooler and wetter than the rest of the country. Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, meaning the seasons that Melbourne and Victoria experience are the opposite of those in the northern hemisphere. December to February warms up during summer while March to May signals the change to autumn (fall). The weather cools down from June to August for winter before September to November come to life during spring.

Throughout Victoria, the state's climate varied from cooler weather along the coast to semi-arid and hot conditions in the northwest however Melbourne's climate is generally pretty stable offering warm conditions in summer, mild temperatures in autumn, a crisp climate during winter and pleasant weather throughout spring. These distinct seasons are characterised by hot temperatures from December to February, a balmy climate from March to May, cold and wet conditions from June to August and a sunny yet slightly cooler climate in September to November. However Melbourne is often referred to as experiencing four seasons in one day, so it is recommended that you come prepared for all weather conditions.

Although Melbourne is prone to dry days and spiking temperatures during January to February, nearby Port Phillip Bay delivers cooling breezes that help to ease the effects of these spikes. Melbourne gets its very coldest in June and July while the month of October brings with it the majority of the region's rainfall, averaging about 600mm annually.