Weather in Adelaide

Get the latest weather information in Adelaide. In this section, you will find up-to-date data, forecasts, and useful charts to help plan your time.

The climate in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, can be characterised as Mediterranean. This means the city enjoys warm, and sometimes hot, dry summers and mild, moderately wet winters. The weather here features distinct seasonality, allowing tourists to choose the most comfortable time to visit depending on their preferences.

The summer months, from December to February, are usually sunny and dry in Adelaide, with average temperatures around 21-22°C, though daily highs often rise above 25°C. Very little precipitation falls during this time. Winter, from June to August, brings cooler weather with average temperatures around 11°C and the highest rainfall of the year, although it remains at a low level (about 2 mm per month), but the number of rainy days increases. Spring and autumn are pleasant transitional seasons with moderate temperatures and low rainfall.

Overall, Adelaide offers comfortable weather conditions for visiting year-round, especially if you prefer to avoid extreme heat or torrential rains. The driest periods occur in February and March, when rainfall amounts approach zero, while the highest number of days with precipitation is observed in July.

Throughout the year, Adelaide experiences a noticeable range of temperatures. The hottest month is traditionally January, when the average air temperature is about 22.1°C, and daily highs often reach 26.9°C. February is also characterised by high temperatures, averaging around 21.2°C. Conversely, the coolest month is considered to be July, where the average temperature holds at 10.8°C, and minimum night-time temperatures drop to an average of 8.1°C.

The summer period in Adelaide, which falls in December, January, and February, treats residents and guests of the city to many sunny days and comfortable warmth, sometimes turning into heat. Average maximum temperatures during these months fluctuate from 24.6°C (December) to 26.9°C (January), while nights remain pleasantly warm with temperatures around 15.3°C - 17.4°C. A characteristic feature of the summer season is noticeable daily temperature fluctuations: the difference between the daily maximum and nightly minimum can be about 9-10 degrees, so evenings can feel noticeably fresher than the hot day.

Winter in Adelaide, lasting from June to August, is distinguished by a mild and moderate character. Severe frosts are rare here. Average daytime temperatures in the winter months are usually in the range of 13.4°C (July) - 14.1°C (August), which is quite comfortable for walking. At night, the air temperature drops to 8.1°C - 8.7°C, so warm clothes will be relevant. Daily temperature fluctuations in winter are less pronounced than in summer, amounting to approximately 5-6 degrees, however, morning and evening hours can be quite cool.

Adelaide experiences a Mediterranean climate, which directly influences the distribution of precipitation throughout the year. The city is not characterised by a large total amount of rainfall, however, periods with a higher and lower probability of rain can be distinguished.

The driest season in Adelaide falls during the summer and early autumn months (by Southern Hemisphere standards). February and March are the most arid, when the average rainfall is just 0 mm, and the number of rainy days is minimal – about 3-4 per month. January, April, and December are also characterised by low rainfall levels (about 1 mm) and a small number of rainy days (on average 4-5 days). November, with the same rainfall amount of 1 mm, is distinguished by a slightly higher number of days with rain – about 8.

The period from May to October can be considered relatively wetter. The maximum amount of precipitation, although still small (about 2 mm per month), falls in May, June, July, August, and October. In September, rainfall amounts to 1 mm. The highest number of days with precipitation occurs in the winter months (June-August) and early spring (September): July leads with approximately 12 rainy days, followed by August (about 11 days), as well as June and September (approximately 10 days each). Given the small total number of millimetres, precipitation in these months is likely to be in the form of light rain or drizzle rather than heavy downpours. Snow is not characteristic for Adelaide.

When planning a trip to Adelaide, it is important to consider its climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Regardless of the time of year, sunscreen with high SPF, sunglasses, and a hat are your faithful companions, as the Australian sun can be very active. Comfortable walking shoes are mandatory for exploring the city and its surroundings. The principle of layering in clothing is an excellent strategy, allowing you to easily adapt to temperature changes throughout the day, especially considering the difference between daytime and evening readings.

In summer (from December to February), it is usually hot and sunny in Adelaide, with average temperatures around 20-22°C and highs reaching 25-27°C. Precipitation is minimal at this time. It is recommended to bring light, breathable clothing: t-shirts, shorts, dresses, sundresses, and, of course, a swimsuit. A light cardigan or shawl will come in handy for evening walks. In winter (from June to August), the weather becomes cooler, the average temperature stays around 10-11°C, and the maximum rarely exceeds 13-14°C. You will need warm items: sweaters, jeans, a jacket (preferably windproof and waterproof, as the number of rainy days increases, although the precipitation itself is not heavy) and, perhaps, a scarf.

In spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May), the weather in Adelaide is most comfortable for travel but can be changeable. Temperatures fluctuate from moderately warm during the day to cool in the morning and evening. In these seasons, the layering principle is particularly relevant: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, light jumpers, and a versatile jacket or trench coat. Although heavy rains are rare, a compact umbrella or a light raincoat may prove useful, especially in the period from May to October, when the chance of precipitation is slightly higher.