Fall in Hobart always brings a shift in the air. The long, sun-soaked days of summer fade, and you start to feel cooler, shorter days settling in.
Average daytime highs drop from the upper 60s °F in early March to the mid-50s °F by late May. Nights cool down into the 40s, so you’ll want to keep a sweater handy.
This steady change makes the season feel crisp, but not harsh. It’s honestly a pretty comfortable time for both outdoor adventures and wandering around town.
Rain picks up a little as fall goes on, though it never really gets out of hand compared to other places in Australia. Cloud cover increases too, which gives the sky a softer, muted look and really shows off Hobart’s scenery.
Daylight hours shrink by nearly four hours through the season. You’ll notice sunsets creeping earlier each week, and there’s something cozy about those long evenings.
If you’re into mild weather and not a fan of extremes, fall in Hobart is a safe bet. Cooler temperatures, moderate rainfall, and calm winds make it easy to plan outdoor trips or just take it easy in the city.
Overview of Fall Climate in Hobart
During fall, Hobart moves from summer warmth to cooler, crisper weather. You’ll get mild days, chilly evenings, and some pretty nice color in the trees as the weeks go by.
Fall Months and Seasonal Transition
Fall runs from March through May in Hobart. Temperatures drop steadily, with daytime highs around 17°C (63°F) in March and closer to 9°C (48°F) in May.
Nights get cold fast, and by the end of May, expect lows near 7–8°C (44–46°F). It’s not freezing, but you’ll feel the chill.
March and early April often bring calm, sunny days. Later in May, colder air from the south moves in, and you’ll see rainfall tick up a bit.
Hobart stays one of Australia’s driest capitals, but you’ll still run into light showers at times. The season also paints the city’s landscape with reds, oranges, and yellows—perfect for walks or scenic drives.
Crisp mornings and low humidity make exploring the region especially pleasant.
Climate Classification and Location
Hobart has an oceanic climate (Cfb) in the Köppen system. You get mild summers, cool winters, and rainfall that’s pretty evenly spread out.
Fall hits that balance—never too hot or too cold.
The city sits on Tasmania’s southeastern coast, and the surrounding water keeps temperatures more stable than you’d find inland.
Mount Wellington looms behind the city and shapes the weather, too. It blocks or redirects winds, creating microclimates within just a few miles.
Valleys west of Hobart cool off faster at night, while the coast stays a bit milder. This mix of ocean and mountains really defines the fall transition.
Average Fall Temperatures
In fall, Hobart cools down month by month. You’ll get mild days that feel noticeably cooler by late May, and nights that can get chilly but almost never freeze.
Daytime Highs and Nighttime Lows
Early in the season, average daytime highs sit close to 69°F (21°C). By late May, they fall to about 56°F (13°C).
Highs rarely go above 79°F (26°C) or below 50°F (10°C), so afternoons stay pretty steady and pleasant.
Nighttime lows follow suit. Early fall brings lows around 54°F (12°C), which drop to about 44°F (7°C) by the season’s end.
It’s rare for temperatures to dip below 37°F (3°C), so frost almost never happens in fall.
This mix of cool nights and mild days means you can comfortably spend time outside, though you’ll want a light jacket after dark.
Temperature Trends Through Fall
The cooling pattern is gentle, not sudden. Over three months, daytime highs drop about 14°F (8°C), and nighttime lows fall about 10°F (6°C).
Early March still feels a bit like late summer. By late May, the air is much cooler, hinting that winter’s just around the corner.
Shortening daylight hours also drive the cooling trend. You lose nearly four hours of daylight from March to May, and that really speeds up how fast temperatures drop in the evenings.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall is cooler but not dramatically so. Summer highs average around 71°F (22°C), just a little warmer than early fall.
Summer nights are a touch warmer, averaging 55°F (13°C). When fall turns to winter, though, the difference grows.
Winter highs average about 53°F (12°C), and lows hit 41°F (5°C). By late May, you’re already feeling close to winter weather.
Spring is a bit warmer than fall, with highs heading back to 65°F (18°C). Fall tends to feel more stable, with fewer surprise warm days than spring brings.
Rainfall Patterns in Fall
Rain falls steadily in Hobart during fall, but it’s never overwhelming. Rain amounts and the number of wet days shift a little from March to May, so you get a sense of when things are wetter or drier.
Monthly Average Rainfall
Rainfall in Hobart’s fall is moderate and doesn’t swing much. The city gets 40–60 mm of rain per month through the season.
March usually sees less rain, while April and May pick up a bit more.
You won’t see any month stand out as especially wet or dry. The wettest part of the year actually comes later, in spring.
Here’s a quick look at average monthly rainfall in fall:
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | ~45 mm |
| April | ~50 mm |
| May | ~55 mm |
These amounts are easy to handle, but you’ll still want to be ready for occasional showers if you’re heading outside.
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rain doesn’t fall every day, but you can expect 12 to 15 days per month with at least some rain.
Often, showers are light and brief, not long storms. You might start with a sunny morning, then get a quick shower in the afternoon.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, having a backup plan helps. A rain jacket or umbrella is smart, but most days still offer plenty of dry hours.
Rainfall Variability During Fall
Rainfall in Hobart’s fall can vary a bit year to year, but it’s never dramatic. Some years, March or May might be slightly wetter, others drier.
Local weather systems crossing southern Tasmania cause most of these shifts.
Hobart doesn’t see heavy downpours in fall. Instead, rain spreads out over many days in lighter amounts.
May leans a little wetter than March, but the change is gradual. For travelers, this means you can count on fairly predictable weather.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
During fall, you’ll notice shorter days and less sunshine than in summer. The change is slow, but you can definitely feel the difference as weeks go by.
Average Daily Sunshine
In early fall, expect about 6–7 hours of sunshine per day. By late May, that drops to 4–5 hours.
This follows the sun’s lower path in the sky and more clouds rolling in.
March usually brings the brightest days, while May feels dimmer and cloudier.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Month | Average Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|
| March | ~6.5 |
| April | ~5.5 |
| May | ~4.5 |
These averages help if you’re trying to plan things outside and want the most daylight.
Daily Sunshine Hours
Sunshine hours can swing with the weather. March can still bring long, sunny afternoons, but April is more mixed.
By May, many days are cloudy, and you might get less than 4 hours of direct sun.
On the brightest March days, you could see over 7 hours of sunshine, but that’s rare by late fall.
Hobart’s maritime climate changes fast, so it’s best to expect shorter bursts of sun rather than long stretches.
Flexible plans work best if you want to enjoy the outdoors.
Changes in Daylight Duration
Daylight hours shrink steadily through fall. In March, you get about 12.5 hours of daylight each day.
April drops to around 11 hours, and May brings it down to about 10 hours.
Sunrise happens before 7:00 a.m. in early fall, but by late May, it’s closer to 7:30 a.m. Sunsets come earlier too.
With less daylight, you’ll want to make the most of your time if you’re sightseeing, hiking, or just out and about.
Humidity and Cloud Cover
Hobart’s fall stays pretty dry in terms of humidity, but clouds roll in more as winter nears. The air feels comfortable, and you’ll notice more cloud cover by late May.
Relative Humidity Levels
Relative humidity in Hobart during fall stays steady and comfortable. The air doesn’t get muggy like in the tropics.
Dew points stay low, so sweat evaporates fast, and it’s easy to stay active outdoors.
You almost never get muggy conditions—chances are close to 0% all season. If you like crisp, dry air, Hobart’s fall is a treat.
Even as temperatures drop, the air doesn’t feel damp. Nights get colder, but the dryness keeps away that sticky feeling you might dread in warmer places.
Cloud Cover Trends During Fall
Cloud cover builds as fall goes on. In early March, skies are clear or partly clear about 61% of the time.
By late May, overcast conditions rise to about 53%.
You’ll still catch plenty of sunny days at the start of fall, but gray skies become more common by the end—especially in the afternoons.
This thicker cloud cover, plus earlier sunsets, gives late fall in Hobart a cooler, dimmer vibe compared to the bright days of early March.
Wind Conditions in Fall
In Hobart, fall winds usually feel steady and cool. The city sits right on the coast, so the Southern Ocean’s weather systems shape the breeze you’ll notice most days.
You’ll get moderate breezes most of the time. When a cold front rolls in, those gusts can pick up and feel a lot stronger.
Average Wind Speed
Most days in fall, Hobart’s wind speed falls somewhere between 15 to 20 km/h (9 to 12 mph). Sometimes, on quieter days, the wind slows down to around 10 km/h. But when a front sweeps across Tasmania, gusts can jump over 30 km/h.
The River Derwent and Mount Wellington both play a part in mixing things up locally. If you’re near the waterfront, you’ll probably feel stronger, more persistent winds. Move inland, and the hills and terrain block some of that breeze, so it’s a bit calmer.
You’ll often notice wind speeds ramp up in the afternoon. Mornings start off cool and fairly gentle, but by midday or later, the breezes pick up. If you’re planning to hike, cycle, or sail, it’s worth keeping this daily pattern in mind.
Wind Patterns and Direction
Most of the time in fall, Hobart gets winds from the west and southwest. These winds bring in cool, moist air straight off the Southern Ocean, especially when low-pressure systems pass by. Occasionally, you’ll get northerly winds, but they’re less frequent and usually mean warmer, drier weather before a front arrives.
When weather systems move in, you might see the wind direction change fast. A quick shift from north to southwest can signal colder air and showers are on the way. Sometimes this happens within just a few hours, so if you’re outside, it pays to stay alert.
Since Hobart sits in a valley that opens onto the sea, the River Derwent acts like a wind tunnel. Breezes often feel stronger along the harbor and on exposed ridges. Sheltered neighborhoods, tucked away from the wind, usually stay calmer.
Additional Fall Weather Characteristics
In fall, you’ll notice Hobart’s days get cooler and shorter. Rain stays pretty steady, and the weather patterns change, which can affect how you plan your time in and around the city.
Notable Weather Events
Temperatures drop slowly through autumn, starting in the high teens °C (mid‑60s °F) in early March and slipping down to the low teens °C (mid‑50s °F) by late May. Nights can feel chilly, with lows near 7°C (mid‑40s °F).
Rainfall holds at about 40 mm each month, though you’ll probably see wet days a bit more often as the season goes on. Cloud cover increases too, and late May usually brings the most overcast skies.
Strong winds show up regularly, especially from the west. Average speeds sit near 16 km/h (10 mph), but if you’re along the coast or up in the hills, gusts can be much higher. Extreme storms are rare in Hobart during fall, but sudden switches between sunny and rainy weather still happen, so it’s smart to be ready for anything.
On calm mornings, fog sometimes forms down in the valleys. It usually clears up by mid‑morning, but early travelers might run into low visibility for a while.
Impact on Local Activities
The cooler, wetter weather really shapes how you get outside. People still love hiking around Mount Wellington, but after it rains, those trails get slippery. You’ll want to grab sturdy boots for sure.
Fishing and boating don’t stop in fall, even though the water cools off from about 17°C (62°F) to 13°C (56°F). Westerly winds can whip up the coastal waters, so it’s smart to check the forecast before you head out.
Shorter daylight hours definitely change your plans. In March, you get more than 13 hours of daylight. By late May, though, you’re down to about 9 hours. Sunsets come earlier, so most outdoor plans need an earlier start.
Wine regions near Hobart thrive with those cool nights. Vineyard tours are still a solid pick. When rain or clouds roll in, the weather’s just right for wandering through markets, museums, or other indoor spots.