Adelaide Weather and Climate: A Comprehensive Guide
With a Mediterranean climate Adelaide generally has mild and wet winters. Summers are warm and dry. It is the driest of all the Australian capital cities. In summer (December to February) the average maximum is around 29°C, but there is considerable variation. In winter (June to August) the average maximum is between 15°C and 16°C and the average minimum between 7°C and 8°C. Spring (September to November) is full with colour. Flowers bloom and the wildlife flourishes.
Sea temperatures around Adelaide are lower than those around Perth, Sydney and Brisbane. Most people find summers in Adelaide more pleasant than those in Sydney, Brisbane or Perth. These cities have higher humidities; Adelaide enjoys the lowest humidities of any Australian city.
Average maximum day and minimum night temperature
Visitors to Adelaide can expect significant temperature changes throughout the year. Average maximum daytime temperatures range from a comfortable 27°C in January, the warmest time of the year, to a moderate 15°C during cooler months like August.
At night, temperatures typically drop to an average of around 8°C during these months. Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.Temperature ranges by month
Precipitation and rainy days
Generally, Adelaide experiences moderate precipitation patterns, averaging 511 mm yearly. Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wetter season, July receives moderate rainfall, averaging 66 mm of precipitation, recorded across 9 rainy days. In contrast, the drier season, March brings less rainfall, with 21 mm over 6 rainy days. For more details, please visit our Adelaide Precipitation page.The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail and snow
The average number of days each month with precipitation
Sunshine over the year
Seasonal changes in sunshine hours are quite dramatic in Adelaide. While January receives considerable daily sunshine with up to 10.9 hours, June marks the darkest time of the year, where sunshine is scarce with only 4.7 hours of sunlight per day. Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.Monthly hours of sunshine
Daily hours of sunshine
Daily percentage of sunshine
Average water temperature
The mean water temperature over the year ranges from 19°C in August to 24°C in February.
Water temperature over the year
Average humidity
The relative humidity is moderate throughout the year in Adelaide.
The city experiences its highest humidity in June, reaching 61%. In January, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 36%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
Relative humidity over the year
Average wind speed
The mean wind speed over the year ranges from 4 m/s in January, February, March, April, May, June and July to 5 m/s in August, September, October, November and December.
The mean monthly wind speed over the year (meters per second)
partly cloudy and rain overcast and no rain clear and no rainForecast for Adelaide
7 m/s
4 m/s
4 m/s
Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
The best time of year to visit Adelaide in Australia
During the months of March, April, October, November and December you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20°C and 26°C.Other facts from our historical weather data:
The hottest season / summer takes place in January, February, March and December.
January has an average maximum temperature of 27°C and is the warmest month of the year.
The coldest month is August with an average maximum temperature of 15°C.
July tops the wettest month list with 66 mm of rainfall.
March is the driest month with 21 mm of precipitation.
January is the sunniest month with an average of 326 hours of sunshine.
No idea where to travel to this year? We have a tool that recommends destinations based on your ideal conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.
