Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city is famed for its abundant sunshine, low humidity, and pronounced seasonal shifts. Rain falls mainly from late autumn to early spring, while summers are mostly sunny, making Adelaide ideal for outdoor activities and wine country excursions.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate features hot, dry summers (December to February) and mild, wet winters (June to August). Summer highs average 27–29°C, but heatwaves can push temperatures above 40°C, especially during hot northerly winds. Nights are comfortable, typically 16–18°C. Rain is infrequent in summer, with many months nearly rainless, and humidity is the lowest among Australia’s major cities. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 10.5 hours per day in January.
Winters are mild by global standards, with daytime highs of 14–16°C and lows of 7–9°C. Frost is rare except in the Adelaide Hills. Rainfall is most reliable in winter, peaking in June (about 60–80 mm), but Adelaide remains Australia’s driest capital. Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are transitional and especially pleasant, with highs of 18–24°C, brisk evenings, and colourful foliage. Rain tapers off quickly in spring and is minimal until late autumn. Winds are moderate year-round, and the city enjoys about 2,765 hours of sunshine annually. The sea is coolest in winter (14°C) and warmest in late summer (20–20.5°C), making swimming most comfortable from January to March.
| Average climate data for Adelaide, Australia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 26 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 26 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 9 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 17 | 18 | 16 | 28 | 36 | 35 | 36 | 43 | 25 | 20 | 28 | 24 | 325 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 126 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 57 | 60 | 62 | 66 | 69 | 73 | 74 | 72 | 68 | 65 | 64 | 59 | 66 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 21 | 22 | 28 | 31 | 41 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 32 | 29 | 30 | 25 | 32 |
| Average UV index | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
The best time to visit Adelaide is during spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May), when temperatures are mild (18–24°C), rainfall is low, and the city is alive with festivals, outdoor events, and colourful landscapes. These seasons offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, wine tours, and enjoying Adelaide’s parks and coast.
The least favourable time is during peak summer heatwaves (late December to February), when temperatures can exceed 40°C, making outdoor activities uncomfortable. Winter (June–August) is cooler and wetter, but still mild compared to many cities, with most rainfall and fewer daylight hours.
Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (27–29°C), mild, wetter winters (14–16°C), and abundant sunshine. Rain falls mainly from late autumn to early spring, and humidity is low year-round.
The best times to visit Adelaide are spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May), when the weather is mild, rainfall is low, and outdoor activities and festivals are in full swing.
Adelaide is Australia’s driest capital, with about 430–440 mm of rain annually. Most rain falls from May to August, while summers are generally dry and sunny.
Summer highs average 27–29°C, but heatwaves can bring temperatures above 40°C, especially during hot northerly winds. Nights are usually comfortable, and humidity is low.
Yes, Adelaide’s beaches are popular from December to March, when sea temperatures reach 20–20.5°C. Summer is best for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
Winter highs are 14–16°C and lows 7–9°C. Frost is rare except in the Adelaide Hills. Rain is most frequent in June, but overall winters are mild compared to many cities.
Pack light, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer. In spring and autumn, bring layers for brisk evenings. For winter, a rain jacket and warm clothes are recommended.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is January (26.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (13.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 19.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is January (17.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is August (9.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13.2 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is February (20.1 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is October (14.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 17.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (43.2 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is March (15.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 325 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (15.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (6.1 days). Over the whole year there are 125.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (73.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is January (57.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 65.7 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is July (16.3 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is April (12.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 14.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is August (41 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is January (20.5 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 31.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 7 h). Over the whole year there are 8.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are February and December (UV index: 6). The month with the lowest average UV index is June (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.6.
