Does it snow in Katoomba? Katoomba is well-known for its breathtaking vistas, rock formations, and other natural features.
In addition, there are a number of significant historic landmarks and buildings in town that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.
It has a temperate oceanic climate, so visitors may expect mild summers and cool, even cold, winters. But, many people ask, “How often does it snow in Katoomba?”
Let’s find out more about it now!
Katoomba rarely gets any snow, but you may notice some in the winter, usually in the months of July and August.
More about the Climate of Katoomba
Due to its elevation, Katoomba experiences a wide range of weather conditions. The weather can be highly unpredictable.
Even in the height of summer, the weather at Katoomba is likely to be cool, wet, and foggy. But, it also has good sunshine all year, with an average of 5 and 9 hours daily.
There is a nice balance of moisture in the air. Humidity hovers around the median, fluctuating between about 65% and 80% throughout the year.
Winter in Katoomba has the highest humidity while spring has the lowest.
Fact: Fog is a common occurrence in winter, which is why the area is so well-known for its breathtaking foggy scenery.
Average Temperatures in Katoomba
Summers in Katoomba are mild, with a good balance of sunshine and overcast days.
As a result, the average high temperature during the summer months (late November to mid-March) is often around 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures peak at 76 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of our summer in January, but drop to around 54 degrees at night.
Here is a bit about the average temperatures:
| Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg. Temp | 64°F | 63°F | 59°F | 53°F | 46°F | 41°F | 40°F | 42°F | 48°F | 53°F | 58°F | 62°F |
Average High and Low Temperatures in Katoomba
The “lows” are the coldest it will get, usually at night, while the “highs” are the warmest temperatures of the day.
In Katoomba, winters may get rather frigid. From about the end of May all the way through the end of August, daytime highs may struggle to go beyond 56 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even though the daytime high in July could reach 52 degrees Fahrenheit, the nighttime lows might be as low as 30 degrees.
Here is more about it:
| Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg. Low | 54°F | 54°F | 50°F | 43°F | 37°F | 32°F | 30°F | 32°F | 37°F | 42°F | 48°F | 51°F |
| Avg. High | 76°F | 74°F | 70°F | 64°F | 58°F | 52°F | 52°F | 55°F | 61°F | 66°F | 70°F | 73°F |
Does It Snow in Katoomba?
The snow is rather uncommon in Katoomba, but possible.
So, when does it snow in Katoomba? Well, Katoomba is in the Blue Mountains to the west of Sydney and sees sporadic snowfall between June and August.
Being over a thousand meters above sea level, it receives more snowfall than lower-lying regions.
In extreme cold, Katoomba has had a snowfall of up to 7 inches on occasion. Wentworth Falls, Blackheath, and Oberon are some of the nearby cities that also get snow.
Fact: The Blue Mountains become a picture-perfect winter wonderland when it snows, attracting visitors for a variety of snow-related pursuits and photo ops.
Frequency of Snowfall in Katoomba
Katoomba rarely sees significant snowfall; the area usually gets only a few light snowfalls yearly.
These snowfalls typically amount to light coatings that disappear rapidly after they fall.
Snowfalls of high magnitude are extremely uncommon in Katoomba, occurring just once every 10–20 years on average.
An Important Consideration
Blackheath, and other adjacent mountain communities, receive snow an average of three or four times every year.
Due to the cooler temperatures and exposure to weather systems that promote snowfall, these elevation regions are more prone to substantial snow accumulation.
Does Rainfall Impact Snow in Katoomba?
Katoomba’s snowfall is sensitive to changes in precipitation, and its monthly precipitation varies noticeably throughout the seasons.
While precipitation is present throughout the year, the month of February typically receives the most—3.6 inches—on average.
The coldest month and the month with the least rainfall (1.7 inches) are both in July. If it does not rain as much in July, there could not be as much water for snow to form when cold snaps arrive.
Here is a bit about the average snowfall throughout the year:
| Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Rainfall | 3.0 inches | 3.6 inches | 2.7 inches | 2.6 inches | 2.3 inches | 2.3 inches | 1.7 inches | 1.9 inches | 1.8 inches | 2.2 inches | 2.8 inches | 2.5 inches |
Fact: Considering Katoomba's elevation and consistent rainfall, snow is always a possibility under the correct conditions.
Historical Snowfall Events in Katoomba
The Blue Mountains west of Sydney are home to the picturesque town of Katoomba, which has a history of snowfall.
While there is always at least one major snowfall during winter, some years are noticeably snowier than others.
For instance:
- On a very historic occasion, 45 centimeters of snow fell in just 24 hours on Katoomba in July 1965.
- In the Blue Mountains, higher elevations saw up to 15 centimeters of snowfall in July 1968.
- In 1998, Katoomba received only 5 centimeters of snow, while similar amounts fell in 1972, 1983, 1994, 1997, and 1998.
During the peak of winter, Katoomba receives modest dustings to considerable accumulations of snow, creating a magnificent white landscape.
Here is more about it:
| Year | Snow (Inches) |
| 1965 | 45 |
| 1959 | 15 |
| 1968 | 15 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 1983 | 10 (estimated) |
| 1994 | Light dusting |
| 1997 | Light dusting |
| 1998 | 5 |
How Is Winter in Katoomba?
The winter air in Katoomba is crisp and invigorating.
June ushers in the start of winter, with lows of 40.6F and highs of 56.6F. July follows June as the coolest month of the year in Katoomba.
The average maximum temperature in both months is 56.7 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the average low temperature at night is 37.9F in July.
In August, the temperature begins to increase a little while winter continues. Temperatures in the morning can drop to 38.7°F, but by afternoon they rise to an average of 59.2°F, which is a modest increase over the previous months.
Fact: Winter in Katoomba is characterized by a refreshingly mild climate, making it an ideal time to visit this tranquil Australian town.
Why Is Snowfall So Rare in Katoomba?
It is evident that though Katoomba can get snow, it is rather uncommon and happens occasionally.
Katoomba in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, has a low enough height and warm enough temperature that snow is quite uncommon.
Let’s find out more about these factors:
Elevation
Katoomba’s lower height within the Blue Mountains explains why the town rarely experiences significant snowfall.
While still rather high, at around 1,017 meters (3,337 feet) above sea level, Katoomba is far lower than its higher-lying neighbors like Blackheath and Mount Victoria, which are located at around 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) or higher.
More frequently than not, the temperature in these mountain communities drops below freezing, a necessary condition for heavy snowfall.
On the other hand, Katoomba has a somewhat milder average temperature due to its lower elevation, making it less prone to frequent and heavy snowfall.
Climate
Katoomba’s climate is a major factor in why it rarely snows there.
Winters in Katoomba are pleasant and sunny because of the town’s oceanic environment, with average lows around 5 °C (41 °F). Temperatures in the winter in this region rarely drop low enough to maintain snow accumulation, making regular snowfall unlikely.
An Important Consideration
Katoomba receives more rain in the summer than it does in the winter when snow is more likely to fall. Since winters in Katoomba are typically dry, the likelihood of substantial snowfall is already low.
Fact: Katoomba is on the windward side of the Blue Mountains plateau, contributing to its little snowfall.
Takeaway
Does it snow in Katoomba? Yes, it can snow in Katoomba, but do not expect it to be a lot. Katoomba receives its unusual snowfall in the winter months of July and August.
Despite being in the Blue Mountains, snowfall here is quite infrequent and mild in comparison to places like Blackheath and Mount Victoria.
Katoomba’s oceanic moderate environment also contributes to its low snowfall totals by keeping winter temperatures mild.
