Does it snow in Hobart? Hobart is in the southern Australian state of Tasmania and is a popular tourist destination.
Due to its southern location at 42 degrees south latitude, Hobart enjoys a mild, temperate climate, and that makes it a nice place to visit all-year round.
Hobart’s winter months (June–August) are characterized by lower average temperatures and higher precipitation totals. But, can it snow in Hobart?
Let’s find out now!
It can snow in Hobart, but it is extremely rare and snow never stays on the ground long enough.
More about Climate in Hobart
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania and the southernmost state of Australia. And it is under the influence of Oceanic climate.
It brings moderate, rainy winters and chilly, quite rainy summers to Hobart. As a city in the southern hemisphere, Hobart experiences seasons opposite to those in the northern hemisphere, with July and August being considered winter.
Here is a bit about the average temperatures in Hobart throughout the year:
| Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg Temp | 62°F | 62°F | 59°F | 55°F | 51°F | 47°F | 46°F | 48°F | 51°F | 53°F | 56°F | 59°F |
Hobart is almost 43 degrees south of the equator and receives a year-round impact from westerly currents.
There is consistent precipitation on the island’s western side due to the succession of disruptions brought by these currents.
The predominant winds also play a role in the city’s climate.
Changes with the Seasons
From about December 13th until March 19th, Hobart experiences mild summers with average daily high temperatures of 67°F.
The warmest month is February, with an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 55 degrees.
The cool season, on the other hand, lasts for 3.0 months, from May 27th to August 30th, and features average daily maximum temperatures below 56°F.
Here is what you will expect in terms of average high and low temperatures in Hobart:
| Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg Low | 54°F | 55°F | 52°F | 49°F | 45°F | 42°F | 41°F | 42°F | 45°F | 47°F | 50°F | 52°F |
| Avg High | 70°F | 70°F | 67°F | 63°F | 58°F | 54°F | 53°F | 55°F | 58°F | 61°F | 65°F | 68°F |
The Impact of Rainfall
Hobart has an average annual rainfall of 565 mm. This makes it a moderately rainy city.
Precipitation occurs consistently throughout the year, with a minor increase in the winter. Average precipitation is 40 millimeters in February and 65 millimeters in August.
Fact: The average high for the year is 53 degrees Fahrenheit, while the low is only 41 degrees in July.
Does It Snow in Hobart?
Hobart hardly ever gets snow.
Although Hobart snowfall is possible, it is highly unlikely to accumulate at sea level.
Hobart last saw heavy snowfall in July 2022, when a cold front dropped snow to an elevation of about 150 meters above sea level. Even at sea level, people saw snowflakes, albeit they did not stick.
The Impact of Oceanic Climate
The oceanic climate in Hobart is warm and temperate, with mild summers and mild winters.
The average high temperature throughout winter is between 11.5 and 13 degrees Celsius (52.7 and 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Even though it can get quite cold at night, prolonged cold spells are quite rare.
Where to Find Snow in Hobart
Mount Wellington (locally known as Kunanyi) is 1,271 meters high, where most of Hobart’s snow falls.
Scattered flurries are possible from June through October, with the highest probability in July and August.
Fact: Snow showers in Hobart throughout the winter are not unheard of, despite snowfall at sea level being unusual.
How Is Winter in Hobart?
Because of the effect of Antarctic southerly winds, Hobart is one of Australia’s coldest places in the winter.
Mount Wellington is especially beautiful when blanketed in snow throughout the winter.
Daytime highs average between 41 and 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit, while nighttime lows can dip as low as 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even in winter, you can enjoy the snowy beauty atop Mount Wellington. You can check out the city’s cultural attractions and indulge in warm culinary excursions for an outstanding experience.
Historical Snowfall Events in Hobart
Due to its mild oceanic environment, Hobart, Australia, has had very few big snow events in recorded history. Even though snowfall at sea level is unusual, it has happened on a few significant occasions.
The city witnessed a large amount of snowfall in the 1970s, but nothing came after that until August 2020. Snow blanketed automobiles, buildings, and parks, which transformed the city into a wintry paradise.
Light snow flurries are more prevalent in the higher districts surrounding Hobart, particularly on neighboring Mount Wellington, which is 1,271 meters above sea level.
Occasionally, bigger snowfalls have blanketed the city, leaving behind 5-10cm of snow, as in 1986 and 2015.
An Important Consideration
Hobart usually receives the most snowfall throughout the months of June through August, coinciding with the winter season.
However, Antarctic air masses have occasionally extended north toward Tasmania, causing snow to fall as early as March and as late as November.
What Causes Low Snowfall in Hobart?
It is true that snowfall is extremely rare in Hobart, but you may be wondering exactly what contributes to low snowfall in the city. Here are some possible explanations.
Lower Altitude
Along the Derwent River estuary, Hobart extends for a considerable distance below sea level.
Heavy snowfall is uncommon in the city because of its low elevation.
Mount Wellington, located nearby, stands at an elevation of 1271 meters above Hobart, making it possible for snow to fall there on occasion.
Mild Climate
Hobart has a mild climate, although the severe cold snaps necessary to produce heavy snowfall are extremely rare.
When Antarctic air masses push north, they can bring snow to Hobart, although it usually only sticks around for a day or two until warmer air pushes back in.
In the winter, the city often has highs of 12 degrees Celsius and lows of 4 degrees Celsius. Extremely cold spells that last for days on end are unusual.
An Important Consideration
Hobart has a dry climate with a reasonable amount of precipitation spaced out over the course of the year.
Even when cold outbreaks do occur, less snow can fall due to drier circumstances. The snowfall is usually short-lived, and any accumulation melts away soon after a storm passes.
Fact: Only 613 millimeters of rain falls on average every year in Hobart.
Climate Change Impact
The Hobart snow scene is changing dramatically as a result of climate change.
The city has seen an increase in the frequency of exceptionally hot days above 35 degrees Celsius due to a 1-degree Celsius spike in average temperatures over the past century.
Under high emissions scenarios, forecasts indicate an additional 2.6 C increase by 2100. This indicates that this warming trend will continue.
As a result, the snowline is rising, and this will leave less snow at lower elevations.
There has been a decline in snowpack and an increase in the rarity of light snowfalls around sea level because of less precipitation in the autumn.
Fact: The decline in the frequency of heavy snow years has negatively influenced the ski business and led to reduced hours of operation of ski lifts.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Hobart?
The months of March through April and October through November are particularly favorable for a trip to Hobart during the cooler months.
The months of October and November are cooler and wetter, so you may want to avoid them.
The optimum time to visit would be during the summer, from December to February. This is when temperatures are higher, the days are longer, and the rains are less frequent, but really hot days do occasionally occur.
Fact: In the summer, lows can drop below 10 °C (50 °F), so it is a good idea to pack a light jacket and a sweater.
Takeaway
Does it snow in Hobart? Hobart rarely gets snow because of the warm marine environment.
The last time it snowed significantly was in the 1970s; nonetheless, minor snow flurries do occur occasionally in elevated suburbs and on Mount Wellington.
The months of June through August are the most likely to see snowfall, but snowfall can occur as early as March or as late as November. But no matter when you plan your trip, you will still find so much to do in Hobart.
