Canberra Sunshine Hours by Month

Sunshine plays a big role in understanding the climate of a city. This page shows the total number of hours of direct sunlight per month and the average hours per day in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. This average is based on long-term data collected between 1990 and 2020.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Those who love seasonal contrasts will appreciate Canberra. Expect long, bright days with 301 hours in January and darker periods with just 153 hours in June. The total annual amount of sun is 2755 hours.

Daily hours of sunshine

In Canberra, summer days are longer and more sunny, with daily sunshine hours peaking at 10.0 hours in January. As the darker season arrives, the brightness of the sun becomes less. June sees a soft sun for only 5.1 hours per day.

Canberra enjoys an average of 2755 hours of sunshine annually. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

In Lisbon, Portugal, there are approximately 2801 hours of sunshine annually, highlighting its warm and sunny Mediterranean climate.

In contrast, Reykjavík, Iceland, receives only about 1330 hours of sunshine per year, known for its frequently overcast and rainy skies.

In Chicago, USA, the annual sunshine averages 2520 hours, contributing to its humid continental climate.

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual sunshine is 1930 hours, with sunny periods between rainy seasons.

November, Canberra’s wettest month, receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rainfall and has a maximum daytime temperature of 23°C (73°F). During the driest month May you can expect a temperature of 16°C (61°F).

For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, check out our Temperature page. To explore more about precipitation patterns, visit our Canberra Precipitation page.