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Unlike many parts of Australia, Tasmania enjoys four distinct seasons. The surrounding oceans give Tasmania a moderate climate without the scorching heat of many parts of Australia or the ‘deep freeze’ winters that affect Northern Hemisphere countries at similar latitudes (40° - 42°). Summer (December - February) is the season of fun and festivals such as the Launceston Festivale, the Hobart Summer Festival, including the not-to be-missed ‘Taste of Tasmania’ and the North-West’s athletics carnivals. The average temperature in summer is a moderate 23 degrees celcius, but can occasionally reach the high 30s, particularly in inland areas. Despite the cooler temperatures, it is important to note that Tasmania’s sun is intense and that hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are necessary between 11.00 and 15.00 each day.
Autumn (March - May) is usually a settled season with calm, sunny days. Native and European deciduous trees blaze red, orange and gold and the State’s mouth watering produce is at its best. This is often the best season to visit Tasmania with warm days and cool nights.
Winter (June - August) brings a dusting of snow to the highland peaks and a popular way to spend the evening is sitting by open fires indoors. Winter days are often crisp with beautiful clear blue skies. Dress warmly and enjoy what is officially the freshest, cleanest air in the world.
Spring (September - November) can be windy and cool, but remember summer is just around the corner. Gardens around the State look magnificent as they blossom into life.
Rainfall varies dramatically across the State. The mountainous West Coast can record over 3500 mm/annum while parts of the East Coast and Midlands receive less than 600mm/annum. Hobart has an average of 626mm (24 inches) and is Australia’s second-driest capital city (after Adelaide). On the West Coast, an annual average of 2400 mm (95 inches) ensures that the largest tract of rainforest in the southern hemisphere thrives.
Hobart has the most daylight hours of any capital city during summer, with 15.2 hours of daylight at the summer solstice on 22 December. That’s two-and-a-half more hours of daylight than Darwin receives in summer and an hour more than Sydney. In mid-winter this diminishes to approximately nine hours per day.
Tasmanian weather can be extremely changeable and you can experience four seasons in a day.
Information source: Lonely Planet publications
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