Melbourne Weather by Month (2026): Temperature, Rainfall and Packing Guide

Melbourne weather by month — temperatures, rainfall, sunshine, and sea temperature for every month. Best month to visit, what to pack, and surviving 'four seasons in one day'.

By the Melbourne Tourism Editorial Team · Last updated 30 May 2026

Melbourne weather by month is famously unpredictable — the city’s reputation for “four seasons in one day” is earned. Located on Port Phillip Bay at 37° South, Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate with four distinct seasons (reversed from the Northern Hemisphere), high day-to-day weather variability, and a habit of turning a hot day suddenly cool when a southerly change blows through. This 2026 visitor guide breaks down Melbourne weather month by month: average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine hours, sea temperature, what to pack, and the best month for different travel styles.

Melbourne weather by month at a glance

Month	Avg max (°C)	Avg min (°C)	Rain (mm)	Sunshine (hrs/day, 1955–1967)	Sea at St Kilda (°C)
January	25.9	14.3	46.8	9.0	21.1
February	25.9	14.6	48.0	8.1	21.4
March	24	13	50	7	20.2
April	20.3	10.8	57.3	5.6	17.9
May	17	9	55.7	3.9	15
June	14.1	6.9	49.5	4	12.7
July	13.5	6.0	47.5	3.7	11.1
August	15.0	6.7	50.0	4.7	10.9
September	17.3	8.0	58.0	5.7	12.3
October	19.7	9.6	66.0	6.3	14.5
November	22	11	60	7.0	17.1
December	24.2	13.0	59.1	7.5	19.2

Summer in Melbourne (December–February)

December

• Average max: 24°C, average min 13°C.
• Rainfall: 59 mm, with some rain on 10.5 days in an average December (fewer days reach 1 mm).
• Sunshine: 7.5 hours per day (1955–1967 record).
• Sea temperature: 19°C at St Kilda in December.
• Vibe: Christmas decorations across CBD, festive shopping, NYE preparations.
• Highlights: Carols by Candlelight (Dec 24), Boxing Day Test cricket (Dec 26), NYE fireworks (Dec 31).

January

• Average max: 26°C, average min 14°C. Ties with February as the hottest month.
• Heatwaves: possible. Melbourne can swing into extreme heat, so watch the forecast.
• Rainfall: 47 mm.
• Sea temperature: 21°C at St Kilda.
• Highlights: Australian Open tennis, Australia Day, Lunar New Year, Midsumma Festival.

February

• Average max: 26°C, average min 15°C.
• Rainfall: 48 mm.
• Sea temperature: 21°C at St Kilda, the warmest of the year.
• Highlights: Australian Open finals, Sustainable Living Festival.
• Better than January — slightly less heatwave-prone, slightly cheaper hotels.

Autumn in Melbourne (March–May)

March

• Average max: 24°C, average min 13°C.
• Rainfall: 50 mm.
• Sea temperature: 20°C.
• Highlights: Moomba Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival begins, Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (17–21 March 2027). Easter falls in March in 2027 (long weekend 26–29 March).
• Often considered the best month — settled weather, mild temperatures, festival energy.

April

• Average max: 20°C, average min 11°C.
• Rainfall: 57 mm.
• Sea temperature: 18°C.
• Highlights: Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (2–4 April 2027), Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Anzac Day (April 25).
• Vineyards turn golden in the Yarra Valley.

May

• Average max: 17°C, average min 9°C.
• Rainfall: 56 mm.
• Sea temperature: 15°C.
• Highlights: Melbourne Writers Festival, RISING Festival begins.
• Cool but mostly dry — autumn at its peak photogenic.

Winter in Melbourne (June–August)

June

• Average max: 14°C, average min 7°C. Winter begins.
• Rainfall: 49.5 mm, spread over about 15 rain days.
• Sea temperature: 13°C at St Kilda.
• Highlights: RISING Festival, AFL season peak, ski season opens at Mt Buller and Mt Hotham.
• Quietest tourist month — cheapest hotels.

July

• Average max: 13.5°C, average min 6°C. Coldest month.
• Rainfall: 48 mm.
• Sea temperature: 11°C at St Kilda.
• Highlights: Open House Melbourne, AFL playoff lead-up.
• Indoor culture is best — NGV, museums, theatres, cosy pubs.

August

• Average max: 15°C, average min 7°C.
• Rainfall: 50 mm.
• Sea temperature: 11°C at St Kilda, the coldest of the year.
• Highlights: Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), AFL finals begin (late month).
• Days lengthen toward end of month.

Spring in Melbourne (September–November)

September

• Average max: 17°C, average min 8°C.
• Rainfall: 58 mm.
• Sea temperature: 12°C at St Kilda.
• Highlights: AFL Grand Final (usually late September, though the 2027 final is on Saturday 2 October — major public holiday Friday before), Royal Melbourne Show, Melbourne Fringe Festival begins.
• Spring blooms begin in parks and gardens.

October

• Average max: 20°C, average min 10°C.
• Rainfall: 66 mm. Wettest month of spring.
• Sea temperature: 15°C.
• Highlights: Spring Racing Carnival begins, Phillip Island MotoGP, Diwali at Federation Square.

November

• Average max: 22°C, average min 11°C.
• Rainfall: 60 mm.
• Sea temperature: 17°C.
• Highlights: Melbourne Cup (first Tuesday — public holiday). Spring Racing Carnival peak.
• Sea still cool — swimming is mostly for the hardy until December.

Best month to visit Melbourne by traveller type

• First-time visitors — March or April. Settled weather, festival energy, less crowded than peak summer.
• Beach lovers — December to February.
• Tennis fans — January (Australian Open).
• F1 fans — April (Australian Grand Prix).
• AFL fans — March to the Grand Final (2 October in 2027).
• Comedy fans — April (Melbourne International Comedy Festival).
• Wine lovers — autumn (March–May) or spring (Sep–Nov).
• Whale watchers — June to October.
• Budget travellers — June, July, August. Cheapest hotels.
• Food and culture — March, April, October, November.
• Avoiding crowds — June or August.

Melbourne rainfall and “four seasons in one day”

Melbourne’s “four seasons in one day” reputation comes from the city’s location at the boundary between two weather systems. Cool fronts from the Southern Ocean meet warm air from inland Australia, creating rapid temperature swings — particularly when a southerly change comes through (often called a “cool change”). Examples:

• A scorching afternoon can turn cool fast once a southerly change arrives.
• A sunny morning can flip to thunderstorms by afternoon, particularly in summer.
• October has the highest monthly rainfall: 66 mm on average at the former Melbourne Regional Office.
• Layers and a small umbrella are universal Melbourne packing advice — every season.

What to pack for Melbourne by season

Summer (Dec–Feb)

• Light cotton t-shirts, shirts, dresses.
• Shorts and summer skirts.
• Swimsuit and beach towel.
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ (extreme UV).
• Sunhat and sunglasses.
• Light cardigan for cool evenings (some drop to 14°C).
• Light waterproof jacket for thunderstorm afternoons.
• Closed-toe walking shoes plus sandals.

Autumn (Mar–May)

• Jeans, long-sleeve shirts.
• Light sweater or cardigan.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Layers — temperature swings are common.

Winter (Jun–Aug)

• Warm coat (wool or down).
• Scarf and beanie.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Thermal base layers for evenings.
• Waterproof shoes or boots.
• Long pants and warm socks.

Spring (Sep–Nov)

• Mix of autumn and summer.
• Layers — expect any weather in one day.
• Waterproof jacket essential (October is wettest spring month).
• Comfortable walking shoes.

Sea temperature and beach swimming season

• Best swimming months: December, January, February (St Kilda averages about 19°C in December and 21°C in January and February).
• Acceptable for hardy swimmers: March, April, November (St Kilda averages 20°C, 18°C and 17°C).
• Too cold for most: May to October (St Kilda averages about 11–15°C).
• Patrolled beaches: Christmas Day to Easter, weekends.
• Bay vs ocean: Port Phillip Bay is shallow and enclosed, so it is generally warmer than the open ocean in summer and colder in winter.

UV exposure and sun protection

• UV index in summer: can reach “extreme” levels, peaking around midday. Check the daily UV forecast and use sun protection whenever the index is 3 or above. Skin can burn in under 15 minutes unprotected.
• UV remains high in October and November — comparable to December.
• Winter UV is moderate; sun protection still recommended at midday.
• SPF 50+ sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are standard Melbourne summer packing.
• Free sunscreen dispensers at St Kilda Beach and major beaches.

Melbourne weather and bushfires

• Bushfire risk peaks December–February, though the fire season can run longer, and hot, dry, windy days raise the danger.
• Direct bushfires in metro Melbourne are rare but smoke from regional fires can affect the city.
• Check air quality on the EPA Victoria website during bushfire season.
• Outdoor events may cancel on extreme heat days.
• Bushwalking advice — avoid Otway Ranges, Yarra Valley, and Dandenong Ranges on Total Fire Ban days.

Melbourne weather forecasting and apps

• BOM Weather (Bureau of Meteorology) — official Australian government weather app. Free.
• Weatherzone — Australian commercial weather app with detailed local forecasts.
• Melbourne Weather Twitter (@VicEmergency) — official Victorian emergency weather updates.
• Apple Weather and Google Weather — both reliable for Melbourne.
• Smartphone notifications for cool changes — useful in summer.

Cheapest months to visit Melbourne

• June, July, August — winter, cheapest hotels.
• February (after Australian Open) — discount mid-month.
• Late May — pre-winter shoulder.
• Avoid December, January (Australian Open), Melbourne Cup week (early November), AFL Grand Final week (late September).

Melbourne weather and AFL season

The AFL season starts in March and builds to the Grand Final at the MCG, which falls on Saturday 2 October in 2027. Cold, often wet weather is part of the AFL experience — Melbourne winter and football are inseparable. The MCG’s covered seating helps but the field-side experience is exposed. Pack thermal layers and waterproof gear for AFL games April through September.

Melbourne weather statistics by month (detailed)

January (peak summer)

• Average max: 26°C (79°F).
• Average min: 14°C (57°F).
• Melbourne’s all-time record high: 46.4°C, set on 7 February 2009 (Black Saturday).
• Record low: 5.5°C.
• Average rainfall: 47 mm spread across 8 days.
• Sunshine: 9 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 21.1°C at St Kilda.
• UV index: 11+ (extreme).
• Sunrise and sunset on 15 January 2026: 6:14 am – 8:43 pm AEDT.

February

• Average max: 26°C.
• Average min: 15°C.
• Average rainfall: 48 mm across 7.5 days with rain (5.1 days with at least 1 mm).
• Sunshine: 8.1 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 21.4°C at St Kilda.
• Sunrise and sunset on 15 February 2026: about 6:49 am – 8:18 pm AEDT.

March (early autumn)

• Average max: 24°C.
• Average min: 13°C.
• Average rainfall: 50 mm across 9 days.
• Sunshine: 7 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 20.2°C at St Kilda.

April

• Average max: 20°C.
• Average min: 11°C.
• Average rainfall: 57 mm across 11.8 days with rain (7.9 days with at least 1 mm).
• Sunshine: 6 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 17.9°C at St Kilda.
• Daylight saving ends on the first Sunday in April (4 April in 2027), so sunrise and sunset move an hour earlier by the clock.

May

• Average max: 17°C.
• Average min: 9°C.
• Average rainfall: 56 mm across 14.6 days with rain (9.7 days with at least 1 mm).
• Sunshine: 3.9 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 15°C.

June (early winter)

• Average max: 14°C.
• Average min: 7°C.
• Record low: -2.2°C (former Melbourne Regional Office).
• Average rainfall: 49.5 mm across 15.4 days with rain.
• Sunshine: 4 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 12.7°C at St Kilda.
• Sunrise and sunset on 15 June 2026: about 7:33 am – 5:07 pm AEST.

July (coldest)

• Average max: 13.5°C.
• Average min: 6°C.
• Average rainfall: 47.5 mm across 16.1 days with rain.
• Sunshine: 4 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 11.1°C at St Kilda.
• Sunrise and sunset on 15 July 2026: about 7:32 am – 5:19 pm AEST.

August

• Average max: 15°C.
• Average min: 7°C.
• Average rainfall: 50 mm across 16.1 days with rain (10.4 days with at least 1 mm).
• Sunshine: 5 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 10.9°C at St Kilda.
• Sunrise and sunset on 15 August 2026: about 7:05 am – 5:44 pm AEST.

September

• Average max: 17°C.
• Average min: 8°C.
• Average rainfall: 58 mm across 14.9 days with rain (10.4 days with at least 1 mm).
• Sunshine: 5.7 hours per day (1955–1967).
• Sea temperature: 12.3°C at St Kilda.

October (wettest spring)

• Average max: 19.7°C.
• Average min: 9.6°C.
• Average rainfall: 66 mm across 14 days.
• Sunshine: 6.3 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 15°C.
• Daylight saving starts on the first Sunday in October, adding an hour of evening light.

November

• Average max: 22°C.
• Average min: 11°C.
• Average rainfall: 60 mm across 12 days.
• Sunshine: 7 hours per day.
• Sea temperature: 17°C.

Daylight Saving Time in Melbourne

• DST runs first Sunday in October to first Sunday in April.
• Clocks spring forward 1 hour in October, fall back 1 hour in April.
• Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide observe DST; Brisbane and Perth do not.
• October DST start adds an extra hour of evening daylight — popular for spring outdoor events.
• April DST end shortens evenings — sunset suddenly comes an hour earlier by the clock.
• International visitors should adjust calendars/phones automatically.

Best month to visit Melbourne by traveller priority

Beach focus

December–February. The bay at St Kilda averages around 19°C in December, rising to 21°C in January and February.

Sport focus

January (Australian Open), April (F1 Grand Prix), September (AFL Grand Final), November (Melbourne Cup).

Wine and food focus

Autumn (March–May). Vineyards golden, comfortable for long lunches. April Comedy Festival.

Cultural focus

December (Triennial year), April (Comedy Festival), August (MIFF), October (RISING Festival).

Budget focus

June, July, August. Cheapest hotels and least-crowded attractions.

Shoulder season (best balance)

March (early autumn) or November (late spring). Mild weather, festival energy, manageable crowds.

Melbourne weather quirks

• Cool changes — sudden temperature drops of 15°C+ when southerlies blow through. Common in summer afternoons.
• Hot northerlies — northern winds bring inland heat. Days when Melbourne is hotter than Sydney.
• Sea fog — occasional summer mornings, particularly affecting the Mornington Peninsula and Great Ocean Road.
• Bushfire smoke — affects city air quality in extreme heat conditions.
• Hailstorms — rare but dramatic; spring is most common.
• Westerly winds — common winter cold-fronts.
• Indian summer — late March/early April warm spells.
• Wettest day on record — 113.4 mm at the former Melbourne Regional Office on 3 February 2005.

Climate change and Melbourne weather

• Heatwaves becoming more frequent and more intense.
• Average annual rainfall declining slightly.
• Bushfire season extending into spring and earlier autumn.
• Sea temperature rising slightly; affecting marine life.
• Storm intensity increasing.
• Climate-conscious travellers should expect more variability over time.

Melbourne weather forecast tools

• BOM Weather (Bureau of Meteorology) — official Australian government weather app. Free.
• Weatherzone — Australian commercial weather app with detailed local forecasts.
• Melbourne Weather Twitter (@VicEmergency) — official Victorian emergency weather updates.
• Apple Weather and Google Weather — both reliable for Melbourne.
• Cool change notifications — sign up via BOM Weather or Weatherzone for real-time alerts.
• UV alerts — BOM Weather shows UV index per hour.
• Air quality — EPA Victoria website for bushfire smoke and air pollution.

Melbourne weather and outdoor planning

• Beach days — December–February for swim-ready water; check UV before going.
• Bushwalking — March–May for stable autumn weather; avoid summer (heat) and winter (rain).
• Festival outdoor events — may be postponed or cancelled on extreme heat days.
• Cycling — autumn and spring are best.
• Long lunches at vineyards — autumn is best.
• Picnic culture — December–March for warm picnics; Royal Botanic Gardens year-round option.
• Outdoor cinema — summer-only at most venues.

Melbourne weather and wildfires

• Bushfire risk is highest from December to February, and fire danger climbs on hot, windy days.
• Direct bushfires in metro Melbourne are rare but smoke from regional fires can affect the city.
• Total Fire Ban days — declared by the CFA on extreme heat days. Outdoor BBQ and welding restrictions.
• Catastrophic Fire Danger — outdoor activities should be cancelled. Stay indoors.
• Bushwalking on Code Red days — many parks close.
• Yarra Valley, Otway Ranges, Dandenong Ranges all have high bushfire risk.
• Black Saturday (February 7, 2009) — destroyed townships including Marysville and Kinglake.

Climate-aware accommodation choices

• Hotels with pools — Crown Towers, Park Hyatt, the Langham (heatwave shelter).
• Apartment-style with kitchen — for self-catering during outdoor-event closures.
• Air-conditioned standard expectation — all major hotels.
• Heating in winter — all major hotels.
• Rooms with balconies — for cool change ventilation.
• Yarra Valley accommodation — cooler in summer; warmer in winter than CBD.

Frequently asked questions about Melbourne weather by month

Final word: pack layers and watch the cool change

Melbourne weather rewards travellers who pack layers and bring a small umbrella every season. The city’s “four seasons in one day” reputation is genuine but doesn’t mean trips are bad — it means trips are flexible. Time your visit for the events you care about (Australian Open in January, Comedy Festival in April, AFL Grand Final in September), pack appropriately, and enjoy the city’s variability. For broader trip planning, see our best time to visit Melbourne pillar.

November is late spring and one of the most pleasant months in the city, with mild afternoons, long daylight-saving evenings and the odd blustery cool change. Our Melbourne in November guide has the Bureau of Meteorology averages, the Cup Carnival dates and what to pack.

Related Melbourne guides

• Melbourne in January
• Melbourne in Summer
• Cheapest Time to Visit Melbourne
• Melbourne in Autumn
• Visiting Melbourne in December
• Visiting Melbourne in June