Summer in Canberra brings warm, dry days and cool nights, striking a comfortable balance for outdoor activities or just relaxing in the evening. Average summer temperatures usually hover between 13°C and 28°C (55°F to 82°F), so it’s one of the more moderate capitals in Australia this time of year.
You won’t have to deal with heavy humidity here, so the warmth feels pleasant instead of sticky.
Long stretches of sunshine are the norm, with just the occasional afternoon storm. That gives you plenty of chances to enjoy Canberra’s parks, lakes, and outdoor festivals.
Rainfall stays relatively low compared to many other parts of Australia, so most days feel open and bright.
If you visit Canberra in summer, you’ll quickly see how the climate shapes daily life. Outdoor dining, evening walks, and day trips to the countryside all seem more appealing in this weather.
This blend of mild heat, clear skies, and manageable rainfall really makes the season feel welcoming.
Overview of Canberra’s Summer Climate
Canberra’s summers feel warm and dry, and you get long daylight hours. Humidity stays low, there’s lots of sunshine, and temperatures work out just right for outdoor fun—not like the heavy stickiness you find in some coastal cities.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Summer in Canberra runs from December to February. Average daytime highs sit between 26°C and 28°C (79°F–83°F).
Overnight lows usually land around 12°C to 14°C (54°F–57°F), so evenings cool off nicely.
Rainfall stays moderate. December tends to bring the most rain—about 45 mm (1.8 in)—while January and February see a bit less.
Rain comes as short showers or storms, not long, dreary drizzle.
Humidity is lower than in coastal cities, often between 40–60%. That makes the heat feel drier and less suffocating.
Sunshine is plentiful, with 10–11 hours of daylight in January. At Canberra International Airport, where they track climate data, visibility is high and winds are usually light to moderate.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to winter, summer in Canberra feels much warmer and brighter. Winter highs only reach 10–11°C (50–52°F), and nights get frosty, sometimes close to freezing.
Summer doesn’t usually bring extreme heat, but you’ll notice the steady warmth and long days.
Spring and autumn act as transition seasons. Spring can get wetter, with November sometimes bringing the most rain all year.
Autumn cools quickly after March, with highs dropping to the low 20s °C (68–72°F) and nights getting chilly.
You won’t see snow in summer, though it can show up in colder months. Instead, summer brings dry air and clear skies.
You’ll find summer to be the most reliable season for outdoor events and travel in Canberra, unlike the unpredictable weather of spring or the short days of winter.
Geographical Influences
Canberra’s inland location and elevation—about 580 meters (1,900 feet) above sea level—shape its summer climate.
The city sits between mountain ranges, which block coastal humidity and keep summers drier.
You don’t get the heavy tropical moisture of Sydney or Brisbane. The air stays crisp, and the heat feels less intense.
The surrounding hills help cool things down at night, even during the hottest months.
Canberra International Airport, just a few kilometers from downtown, records slightly higher daytime temperatures than the suburbs at higher elevations.
This happens because the airport’s open terrain heats up faster under the sun.
These geographical quirks mean you get a climate that balances warm days with cool evenings—a feature that really sets Canberra apart from other Australian capitals.
Average Summer Temperatures
Canberra’s summer climate features warm days, cooler nights, and low humidity. Daily temperatures follow a pretty steady pattern from December through February, with January usually being the hottest.
Average High Temperature Trends
Daytime highs in summer usually range between 26°C and 28°C (79°F to 82°F). December starts off a bit cooler, January hits the peak, and February begins to ease off toward autumn.
The heat feels drier than in coastal cities because humidity stays low, so you can enjoy outdoor activities even on hotter days.
Here’s a quick look at average high temperatures:
| Month | Avg High (°C) | Avg High (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 26.0 | 78.8 |
| January | 27.7 | 81.9 |
| February | 27.0 | 80.6 |
These highs don’t really swing much across the season. You might get an occasional hot spell above 35°C (95°F), but it’s not the norm.
Average Low Temperature Patterns
Nighttime lows in Canberra drop off much more than the daytime highs. You’ll often wake up to mornings around 12°C to 14°C (54°F to 57°F).
This cooler air comes from the city’s inland location and elevation.
January brings the warmest nights, averaging 13°C to 14°C (55°F to 57°F). December and February are a touch cooler, but not by much.
| Month | Avg Low (°C) | Avg Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 12.6 | 54.7 |
| January | 13.5 | 56.3 |
| February | 13.2 | 55.8 |
Cooler nights give you a break from the daytime warmth, so sleeping is usually comfortable without cranking the air conditioning.
Hourly Temperature Variations
Summer days heat up quickly after sunrise. By late morning, temperatures often pass 20°C (68°F).
The warmest part of the day usually lands between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
After sunset, temperatures drop steadily. By midnight, you might see it dip below 18°C (64°F).
This daily swing between highs and lows is wider than in many coastal cities.
The inland setting and elevation of 580 meters (1,900 feet) make these shifts noticeable.
Packing a mix of light daytime clothes and warmer layers for the evening is a smart move if you’re visiting Canberra in summer.
Humidity and Comfort Levels
Canberra’s inland spot and elevation keep the summer air drier than what you’d find in most coastal cities. You’ll get warm days with low humidity, so the season feels more comfortable than the temperature alone might suggest.
Typical Humidity Ranges
During summer, relative humidity levels often stay below 50%, especially in the afternoons. That’s much lower than in a lot of Australia’s coastal regions, where humidity can top 70% at the same time of year.
Mornings might start a bit more humid, but as the day heats up, levels drop fast. By late afternoon, the air gets pretty dry, with readings closer to 30–40%.
This pattern holds steady across December, January, and February.
Canberra’s inland position and those westerly winds blowing dry air from the interior keep the humidity low.
You won’t usually run into sticky, oppressive conditions like in tropical climates. Even on hot days, the air feels crisp.
Sweat evaporates quickly in this dryness, which helps your body cool itself better. That’s comfortable, but it also means you need to drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
Effects on Outdoor Activities
The dry summer air makes it easier to get outside and stay active. Walking, cycling, and sightseeing don’t feel as tiring as they do in humid places where sweat just hangs around.
Benefits of low humidity:
- More comfort during exercise
- Lower risk of heat stress than in humid climates
- Fewer mosquitoes and biting bugs
But there are trade-offs. The dry air can leave your skin parched, your eyes a bit dry, and you can get dehydrated if you’re outdoors for hours.
Sunscreen and hydration are musts, since strong UV rays and low humidity pull moisture from your skin fast.
If you’re planning to hike or explore Canberra’s parks, you’ll appreciate the clear skies and good visibility.
Just keep in mind that warm, dry winds can push up fire danger in peak summer, so check local alerts before heading out.
Precipitation and Rainfall Patterns
Canberra gets moderate rainfall spread out over the year—there’s no real monsoon season here. Summer brings light to moderate showers, often as quick storms, while winter usually stays drier.
Monthly Rainfall Averages
Rainfall in Canberra averages about 653 mm annually, with summer months adding a decent chunk. December is often the wettest month, getting around 69 mm of rain.
May is usually the driest, with just 32 mm.
During summer (December to February), monthly totals range between 45–65 mm. That’s not much compared to coastal cities, but it’s enough to keep things green.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| December | ~69 |
| January | ~55 |
| February | ~50 |
So, while summer isn’t super wet, you should still be ready for the odd shower.
Frequency of Wet Days
Canberra usually sees about 100 rainy days per year, but most showers are light and brief.
In summer, rain falls on 8–12 days each month, often during afternoon thunderstorms.
Unlike tropical regions where rain can drag on for days, most wet days here only bring a few millimeters of rain.
Outdoor plans rarely get ruined for long.
December sees the most rainy days, while late autumn and winter have fewer.
Even in the driest stretches, a little rain might show up, so carrying a light rain jacket isn’t a bad idea.
Seasonal Changes in Precipitation
Summer rainfall is usually convective, coming from local thunderstorms. These storms can be intense, but they pass quickly.
In autumn, rain starts to taper off, with totals dropping below 40 mm in May.
Winter brings fewer rain events, and the air is both drier and colder, so rainfall feels even less frequent.
Spring brings rain back, leading into wetter late spring and early summer.
You can count on more reliable rain from November through January, with drier spells in late autumn and mid-winter.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
Summer in Canberra brings long daylight hours, with a good mix of clear skies and some cloud. Sunshine dominates most of the season, but clouds still pop up and shape the daily vibe.
Trends in Cloud Cover
In summer, cloud cover in Canberra is moderate compared to the rest of the year. Skies are clear or mostly clear about two-thirds of the time.
The rest of the season brings partly cloudy or overcast conditions.
December tends to be a bit cloudier, with cover ranging from 4 to 7 oktas on an average day.
By late January and February, overcast skies become less common, and clear weather takes over.
Regional weather systems drive these patterns. Frontal activity in early summer can bring thicker clouds, while stable high-pressure systems later on clear things up.
You’ll notice mornings sometimes start with haze or cloud, but afternoons usually brighten.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, it’s good to remember that cloud cover rarely takes over the whole day. Cloud bands move through quickly, leaving plenty of sunshine.
Sunshine Duration During Summer
Canberra enjoys some of the highest sunshine hours of the year in summer.
You’ll get around 9 hours of direct sunlight daily in December and January, with about 8 hours in February.
That’s roughly 60–65% of total daylight hours during the season.
With daylight lasting over 14 hours near the solstice, there’s lots of time for outdoor fun.
At solar noon in mid-summer, the sun climbs high—about 74–78° above the horizon. That gives strong, direct light and helps push up daytime temperatures.
Even with the occasional cloud, sunshine is a defining part of summer in Canberra.
If you’re planning travel or events, you can expect reliable daylight and long, bright afternoons, with only brief cloudy spells breaking up the sun.
Wind Characteristics in Summer
Canberra’s summer winds usually feel lighter than in other seasons. Still, they can shift suddenly during thunderstorms.
Most days feel pretty calm, but every now and then, stronger gusts show up and might mess with your outdoor plans.
Prevailing Wind Directions
In summer, winds tend to come from the east or southeast. These breezes often show up in the afternoon, bringing a bit of relief from the heat.
If storm systems roll through, the wind direction can flip fast. Suddenly, strong gusts might blow in from the west or northwest, especially when thunderstorms pop up.
These changes don’t last long, but wow, they can get intense.
Canberra’s geography matters too. The city sits in a valley with hills all around, so those hills can channel the wind and make it feel stronger in exposed places.
If you’re near Lake Burley Griffin, you’ll probably notice the wind even more, since open water lets it travel without much to block it.
Key points on directions:
- Typical summer flow: east to southeast.
- Storm-related winds: west or northwest.
- Local variation: stronger in open or elevated spots.
Wind Speed Variations
Summer winds in Canberra usually stay light to moderate. Most days, you’ll see average speeds between 10 to 20 km/h (6 to 12 mph).
These breezes feel comfortable, so cycling, walking, or grabbing a meal outside often feels just right.
Thunderstorms can shake things up, though. Gusts sometimes shoot past 60 km/h (37 mph) during severe storms, knocking down branches or making the lake pretty rough.
You probably won’t see these wild gusts every day, but they pop up enough that it’s smart to keep an eye on the weather.
After a hot day, winds usually settle down in the evening. Calmer air makes outdoor dinners or late strolls a lot more enjoyable.
If you’re into water sports, it’s worth checking wind speeds before you head out. Even those moderate gusts can make kayaking or sailing a bit tricky.
Average summer pattern:
| Condition | Typical Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Normal days | 10–20 km/h | Light, steady breezes |
| Thunderstorms | 40–60+ km/h gusts | Short but strong |
| Evenings | <10 km/h | Often calm |