Leslie Massey
Tasmania is one of the coolest parts of Australia, with an average yearly temperature of 13.5ºC and 84 rainy days annually. In 2023, Tasmania experienced a much drier year than in 2022, with just 1201.84 mm of rainfall. In addition, Tasmania and Victoria had among their driest autumns on record. However, in 2022, South Australia was referred to as Australia's driest state, with an arid landscape and dusty red soils. So, is Tasmania the driest state in Australia?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driest state in Australia | South Australia is the driest state in Australia. |
| Rainfall in Tasmania | Tasmania has an average of 84 rainy days each year (22% of the time). |
| Average yearly temperature in Tasmania | 13.5ºC |
| Driest month in Tasmania | May |
| Wettest month in Tasmania | November |
| Warmest month in Tasmania | January |
| Coldest month in Tasmania | July |
| Sunniest month in Tasmania | January |
| Rainfall in 2023 | 1201.84 mm of rainfall, compared to 1322 mm in 2022 |
| Rainfall in December 2023 | 1.9% below average |
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What You'll Learn
Tasmania's rainfall in 2023
Tasmania experienced a drier year in 2023 than in 2022, with just 1201.84 mm of rainfall compared to 1322 mm the previous year. The state saw below-average to very much below-average rainfall across most of its regions. This trend continued into 2024, with Tasmania's area-averaged rainfall total for the year reaching 1269.1 mm, which was still 7% below the 1961-1990 average. The overall rainfall in Tasmania in 2024 was higher than in 2023, but lower than in 2022.
Tasmania's rainfall patterns in 2023 were influenced by its location in the southern coastal region of Australia, which experienced long-term deficits and below-average soil moisture. While Tasmania's western coast had high soil moisture levels in May, the northwest region showed deficits, with root zone soil moisture around 40% below the typical column saturation for that month. These conditions can indicate agricultural drought.
The dry conditions in Tasmania during 2023 were part of a broader pattern across southern Australia, which has seen a shift towards drier cool season months (April to October) since 1994. This trend was particularly notable in 2023, with September and October being exceptionally dry across the country. Tasmania and Victoria experienced among their driest autumns on record that year.
While Tasmania faced rainfall deficits in 2023, other parts of Australia also experienced dry conditions. Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and parts of New South Wales had rainfall deficiencies, with some regions recording totals in the lowest 5% since 1900. These low rainfall patterns continued into 2024, with Tasmania and other southern states experiencing expanded and intensified rainfall deficiency areas.
The dry conditions in Tasmania and other states have had impacts on various environmental factors. The low rainfall has resulted in decreased soil moisture content, runoff, streamflow, and water storage levels across southern Australia. Additionally, the below-average rainfall has contributed to warmer temperatures in subsequent years, with Tasmania experiencing above-average mean maximum and minimum temperatures in 2024.
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Tasmania's driest month
Tasmania has a cool, temperate climate with four distinct seasons. The island experiences a complicated rainfall pattern, with the amount of precipitation varying across the region. The densely populated northern coast is much drier than the western side, with Launceston receiving just 666 millimetres of rain per year and Burnie in the northwest getting 955 millimetres. The Midlands, in the east of the island, receive even less rainfall, with annual totals generally below 600 millimetres.
The eastern part of Tasmania experiences more evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year, with most months receiving very similar averages. The wetter east coast sees an average annual rainfall of around 775 millimetres. The wettest locations in Tasmania are in the northwest highlands, with Queenstown receiving an annual average rainfall of 2,408.2 millimetres. In the centre of the island, Ouse gets around 506 millimetres of rain per year, while Cradle Valley in the northwest highlands receives 2,690 millimetres.
The summer months of December to February are the driest, with the average monthly rainfall in Launceston falling to as low as 31 millimetres per month. During this period, the maximum temperatures on land average 20°C to 24°C along the coast and in the lowlands, such as Launceston. The hottest areas of the state are in the valleys west of Hobart, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 25°C. During heatwaves, temperatures in this region can rise above 40°C.
The winter months of June, July, and August are generally the wettest and coolest in Tasmania, with most elevated areas receiving considerable snowfall. Winter maximum temperatures range from 12°C along the coast to 3°C on the Central Plateau. The spring months of September, October, and November can be unpredictable, with winter weather patterns giving way to summer patterns. However, snowfall is still common in mountainous areas until October.
In recent years, Tasmania has experienced below-average rainfall, contributing to drought conditions in some areas. In 2023, the state received just 1,201.84 millimetres of rain, compared to 1,322 millimetres in 2022. This trend continued into 2024, with rainfall deficiencies persisting and intensifying in southern Australia, including Tasmania.
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Tasmania's soil moisture
Tasmania has experienced low rainfall in recent years, with 2023 being a particularly dry year. This has resulted in decreased soil moisture content across the state. While the west coast of Tasmania had high soil moisture levels in May, the northwest region experienced a deficit, with root zone soil moisture around 40% below the typical column saturation for that month.
Soil moisture is an essential parameter for hydroclimatic studies and plays a crucial role in agriculture and biodiversity. Tasmania's diverse soils and unique climate make it an ideal case study for understanding soil moisture dynamics. Remote sensing products and deep learning techniques have been employed to map soil moisture across the state, providing valuable data for predicting and managing soil moisture levels.
The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) dataset, weather data, elevation maps, and soil property maps are used to generate soil moisture models. These models help predict soil moisture at different depths, from the surface to the subsurface layers. However, challenges remain due to the complexity of soil moisture dynamics, and improvements in modeling techniques are ongoing.
Tasmania's organic soils are also susceptible to combustion during periods of low moisture. Research has been conducted to understand the thresholds for soil combustion and the interactive effects of vegetation, soil moisture, and bulk density on the depth of burning. This knowledge is essential for fire management and understanding the vulnerability of Tasmanian ecosystems to wildfires.
Overall, Tasmania's soil moisture levels are influenced by rainfall patterns and vary across the state. The dry conditions and soil moisture deficits can have implications for agriculture and the environment, highlighting the importance of soil moisture monitoring and management in Tasmania.
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Tasmania's temperature
Tasmania has a cool, temperate climate with four distinct seasons. The summer months, from December to February, have an average maximum sea temperature of 21°C. On land, the maximum temperatures average between 20°C and 24°C along the coast and in the lowlands, such as Launceston. The hottest areas of the state are in the valleys west of Hobart, where summer temperatures often exceed 25°C. During heatwaves, temperatures in this region can rise above 40°C. The highest recorded maximum temperature in Tasmania was 42.2°C at Scamander in January 2009.
The Tasmanian highlands are much cooler, with Liawenee, located on the Central Plateau, being one of the coldest places in Australia. In February, temperatures in Liawenee range from 4°C to 17°C. The lowest recorded minimum temperature in Tasmania was −14.2°C on the Central Plateau in August 2020. Minimum temperatures in Tasmania are warmer than on mainland Australia, and most of the coastal areas rarely drop below freezing. The daily temperature variation is often very narrow, and it is rare for lowland regions to experience snow. However, elevated, inland areas can drop below −10°C during clear nights.
The winter months, from June to August, are typically the wettest and coolest months in Tasmania. Winter maximum temperatures range from 3°C to 11°C, with the lowest temperatures on the Central Plateau. These months see considerable snowfall in most elevated areas. The Spring months, from September to November, are a season of frequent changes, as winter weather patterns gradually transition into summer patterns. The beginning of spring tends to be warmer and sunnier than autumn, particularly in Northern Tasmania. Autumn, from March to May, is another transitional season, with summer weather patterns giving way to winter patterns.
Tasmania's annual rainfall varies significantly across the island. It ranges from 506 millimetres at Ouse in the centre to 2,690 millimetres at Cradle Valley in the northwestern highlands. The annual rainfall in Queenstown, one of the wettest locations in Tasmania, is 2408.2 millimetres. Hobart, the capital city, has an annual average rainfall of 626 millimetres, making it the second driest capital city in Australia after Adelaide.
In recent years, Tasmania has experienced periods of rainfall deficiency, with below-average rainfall totals. In 2023, the state received 1201.84 millimetres of rainfall, compared to 1322 millimetres in 2022. May 2025 was also a dry month, with below-average rainfall across much of southern Australia. However, Tasmania experienced above-average rainfall in November 2023, deviating from the prior dry months of September and October.
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Driest state in Australia
Australia is known for its dry climate, and this is largely due to its geographical location in relation to the equator and the two latitudes: the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The country experiences varying levels of rainfall across its different states and territories, with some areas receiving below-average rainfall.
Tasmania, for example, experienced a much drier year in 2023 compared to 2022, with just 1201.84 mm of rainfall, which is below its 1322 mm rainfall in 2022. The island state typically has an average of 84 rainy days each year, and May is usually its driest month. However, Tasmania is not the driest state in Australia.
South Australia is considered the driest state in Australia, with an arid landscape characterised by shrublands and dusty red soils. It typically experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cooler winters. While it usually receives moderate rainfall from ex-tropical cyclones, South Australia has also experienced record-breaking rains and flooding in recent years, which has been attributed to the unpredictable nature of tropical cyclones and the potential impact of climate change.
Other states in Australia, such as Victoria and Western Australia, have also experienced periods of low rainfall and drought conditions. Victoria, in particular, has a varied climate, with dry conditions in the far north-west and more temperate weather along the coast.
Overall, while Tasmania may have had dry spells, South Australia consistently maintains its position as the driest state in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Tasmania is one of the coolest parts of Australia, with an average yearly temperature of 13.5ºC and 84 rainy days per year. However, Tasmania experienced a much drier year in 2023, receiving just 1201.84 mm of rainfall compared to 1322 mm in 2022. In 2024, Tasmania was the only state or territory whose rainfall in November was below the 1961-1990 average.
South Australia is the driest state in Australia. It has an arid landscape dominated by shrublands and dusty red soils. However, in January 2022, towns across the state experienced record-breaking rains and surging outback floodwaters.
The driest month in Tasmania is May.
The wettest month in Tasmania is November.
