Winter in Hobart brings a cool, steady change that hits you as soon as you step outside. Daytime temperatures usually hover around 13°C, while nighttime lows drop near 5°C, and sometimes get close to freezing.
The air feels crisp, and Mount Wellington often shows off a snowy cap, giving the city a real sense of winter.
You won’t deal with extreme cold like in some other places, but the days definitely get shorter, the sunlight softens, and you’ll see a mix of clear and overcast skies. Rain falls pretty regularly, though it’s not usually heavy, and chilly winds often blow in from the south.
These conditions create a calm, varied winter vibe that shapes daily routines and outdoor plans.
Knowing what to expect makes it easier to plan, whether you’re walking along the waterfront or heading up the mountain. As you dig into Hobart’s winter climate, you’ll notice how temperature, rainfall, sunshine, and wind all blend together to define the season in southern Tasmania.
Overview of Hobart’s Winter Climate
Hobart’s winters bring cool temperatures, frequent rainfall, and shorter daylight hours than much of Australia. The city’s geography and position near the ocean keep things mild, but it’s often damp and cloudy.
Location and Climate Classification
Hobart sits on Tasmania’s southeastern coast, right along the River Derwent, with hills and Mount Wellington nearby. Its spot close to the Southern Ocean gives it an oceanic climate (Cfb, Köppen classification).
With this climate, you’ll get mild winters compared to inland places at the same latitude. The sea keeps the city from freezing, though snow falls pretty often just up on the highlands.
Hobart’s yearly average temperature is about 11–13°C (51–55°F). Winters are the coldest stretch, but things stay pretty stable. You won’t see big temperature swings between day and night—weather changes tend to happen gradually, thanks to passing systems from the west.
Rain falls year-round, and there’s no true dry season. Winters are wetter than summer, but you don’t usually get heavy downpours like in tropical spots. Instead, expect light rain or drizzle, often with cloudy skies.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
During winter (June to August), average daytime highs sit between 11–13°C (52–55°F), while nighttime lows hover at 5–7°C (41–45°F). Frost pops up sometimes, but not often in the city center.
Rainfall increases as winter goes on. You’ll see around 40–60 mm per month, and the chance of a wet day climbs from about one in four at the start of winter to one in three by late August. Snow is rare at sea level but common on Mount Wellington, which usually has a white cap you can spot from the city.
Cloud cover sticks around, though things slowly clear up by the end of August. Winds mostly come from the west, averaging about 10–11 mph, and they can make it feel colder than the thermometer says.
Daylight is shortest in late June, with about 9 hours, then stretches to over 11 hours by the end of August. If you’re in Hobart for a few weeks, you’ll notice the days getting longer.
The ocean also plays a part. Water temperatures drop from about 13°C (56°F) to 11°C (53°F) during winter, which helps keep the air cool and a bit damp. These mild but wet conditions really define Hobart’s winter.
Average Winter Temperatures in Hobart
Hobart’s winter is cool but not extreme. Daytime temperatures stay in the low to mid-teens Celsius, and nighttime lows often get close to single digits. July is usually the coldest stretch of the year.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During winter, average daytime highs are around 12–13 °C (54–55 °F). These highs rarely go above 17 °C and don’t usually dip below 9 °C. The air is crisp, but it doesn’t get harsh like in colder inland areas.
At night, temperatures fall to about 5–6 °C (41–43 °F). On the coldest nights, it might hit 2 °C, while milder evenings stay closer to 10 °C. Frost can show up, especially in sheltered spots, but it’s not a constant thing.
You’ll notice mornings are cooler and things warm up by midday, then cool off again after sunset. Layered clothing just makes sense all season.
| Time of Day | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| Daytime High | 12–13 °C (54–55 °F) |
| Nighttime Low | 5–6 °C (41–43 °F) |
Monthly Temperature Variations
Winter runs from June through August, and each month has its own feel.
- June: Highs average near 13 °C, lows around 6 °C. It’s cool, but not the coldest yet.
- July: This is the coldest month, with highs closer to 12 °C and lows near 5 °C. Mid-July usually brings the year’s lowest temps.
- August: Things start to warm up again, with highs back to 13 °C and lows edging up toward 6 °C.
The changes from month to month are pretty subtle. July mornings feel colder, and the days are noticeably shorter compared to August. By late winter, temperatures rise slowly and the days get longer, hinting at spring.
Rainfall and Rainy Days During Winter
Winter in Hobart brings steady, moderate rain with cool conditions. The rain spreads out across the season, so you’ll want to be ready for damp weather if you’re planning to be outside.
Average Rainfall Amounts
Rain falls pretty evenly throughout the year, and winter is no exception. From June to August, Hobart averages about 40–60 mm of rain per month. That’s less than many mainland Australian cities, but it’s enough to keep the air and landscape moist.
Rain usually comes as light or moderate showers, not heavy downpours. Flooding rains are rare, but you should expect regular dampness. The hills around Hobart, especially Mount Wellington, get more rain than the city itself because of their elevation.
Snow is rare at sea level, though it can dust the nearby peaks during cold snaps. This bumps up the total precipitation, but it doesn’t really affect life in the city. For most people, Hobart’s winter rain feels steady and predictable—not wild or extreme.
Frequency of Rainy Days
You’ll get 10 to 15 rainy days per month in a typical Hobart winter. These are days with at least some measurable precipitation, but not all of them will bring long stretches of rain. That means about a third to half of winter days see some rain.
Cloud cover is common, especially in June when the days are shortest. Even when it doesn’t rain, skies often stay overcast or partly cloudy.
Rain tends to fall in short bursts, so you can still plan activities between showers. A light rain jacket or umbrella is handy since the weather can change quickly. If you’re heading outdoors, it helps to stay flexible and catch the dry spells when you can.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight in Winter
During winter in Hobart, you’ll notice shorter days and fewer hours of sunshine than in summer. This shift in daylight really affects how much time you spend outside and how bright the city feels.
Average Daily Sunshine
Hobart averages 4 to 5 hours of sunshine per day in winter. June is the darkest month, with about 4.4 hours daily, while July and August bring a slight uptick. So, daylight is limited, but you still get a few hours of sun or partly sunny skies most days.
The city’s southern latitude and frequent clouds cut down the sunshine. Mornings and evenings can feel dim, with the sun low in the sky.
If you want to get outside, it’s best to aim for midday when the sun’s highest and things are brightest. Even with shorter days, there’s usually enough light for sightseeing, hiking, or exploring the waterfront.
Monthly Sunshine Hours
Looking at the month as a whole, Hobart sees about 131 hours of sunshine in June—the year’s lowest. July and August slowly climb, each with around 140 to 150 hours.
For comparison, January in summer gets over 250 hours, so winter really is a different scene. These totals show both the shorter days and how often clouds roll in.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- June: ~131 hours
- July: ~140 hours
- August: ~150 hours
Even though winter has fewer bright hours, you’ll still catch regular breaks of sun between cloudy spells. That mix means you can enjoy the outdoors, even in the coldest months.
Wind Speed and Weather Conditions
Hobart’s winter often feels colder than the numbers suggest, mostly because of the wind. The city’s spot along the River Derwent and its exposure to Southern Ocean weather brings steady breezes and sometimes strong gusts.
Typical Winter Wind Patterns
Winds in winter usually blow from the west and southwest. These directions match up with weather systems that sweep across Tasmania, bringing in cool, damp air.
The waterfront and higher spots get hit with stronger winds, while sheltered neighborhoods stay calmer. Most days have at least a breeze, and gusts pick up when cold fronts move through.
Strong winds can make it feel colder outside, even when the temperature is in the mid-40s to mid-50s °F (7–13 °C). If you’re planning to be outdoors, it’s the wind chill you’ll notice more than the rain, since winter precipitation is usually moderate.
Average Wind Speed by Month
Average wind speed in Hobart during winter sits between 15–20 km/h (9–12 mph), with higher peaks during storms. Daily conditions change, but the monthly averages don’t shift much.
| Month | Average Wind Speed | Common Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| June | ~16 km/h (10 mph) | Frequent westerly breezes |
| July | ~18 km/h (11 mph) | Cold fronts, stronger gusts |
| August | ~19 km/h (12 mph) | Increasing wind activity |
July and August often bring more days with gusts over 30 km/h (19 mph). These months usually line up with the season’s strongest weather, which can shake up sailing plans or outdoor trips.
Relative Humidity Levels in Winter
Humidity stays pretty steady in Hobart during winter, and it’s often higher than what you’d get inland. This constant moisture shapes how the cold feels and plays into cloud cover, rain, and daily comfort.
Monthly Humidity Trends
In Hobart, relative humidity during winter usually sits somewhere between 70% and 80%. July feels the dampest, since cooler air just can’t hold as much moisture, yet it still manages to feel heavy.
June and August stay humid too, though not quite as much as July. You might not notice a huge difference, honestly.
Mornings tend to start off with higher readings, often above 80%. By the afternoon, humidity drops a bit, sometimes down to around 65–70%, but the air almost never feels truly dry.
You’ll see this pattern most days—overnight cooling bumps up the moisture, and then daytime warmth lets it fall a little.
Here’s a quick look at the typical averages:
| Month | Morning RH (%) | Afternoon RH (%) |
|---|---|---|
| June | 82 | 70 |
| July | 85 | 72 |
| August | 80 | 68 |
These numbers really show just how steady the humidity stays throughout winter. Expect damp mornings and milder afternoons, with only slight shifts month to month.
Effects on Comfort and Weather
High humidity in winter makes the air feel colder than the thermometer says. Step outside and you’ll probably notice the dampness—it just makes the chill worse, especially if there’s wind.
If you wear clothes that insulate well and resist moisture, you’ll stay a lot more comfortable. It’s honestly worth investing in good layers.
The extra moisture in the air brings more cloud cover and light rain. You’ll spot a lot of overcast mornings, with drizzle or mist hanging around.
Sunshine hours drop, so the season feels pretty much always cool and damp. It’s not exactly beach weather, right?
How comfortable you feel indoors really depends on how you handle the humidity. Without heating, homes can feel cold and even a bit clammy.
If you use proper ventilation, you can cut down on window condensation and keep the indoor air healthier.
When you make outdoor plans, just expect things to be damp—even if it’s not raining. Paths and grassy spots stay wet, and honestly, the air almost never feels crisp or dry.
This kind of steady humidity shapes a lot of Hobart’s winter vibe.