This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our small business.
The Blue Mountains sit on a sandstone plateau about 1,000 metres above sea level, 65 to 110 km west of Sydney, so the climate runs roughly 8 to 10°C cooler than the coast in every season. Katoomba, the main town, averages a January high of 23.4°C (74°F) and a July high of just 9.5°C (49°F), with 1,411mm of rain spread across the year. This Blue Mountains weather by month guide uses Bureau of Meteorology data from the Katoomba station (1907 to 2026) so you can plan around real numbers, and it is part of our complete Blue Mountains travel guide.
Blue Mountains Weather by Month: Climate Overview
Katoomba has an oceanic, high-altitude climate with four distinct seasons and no dry season. Nights stay cool even in summer, and winter brings regular frost and occasional light snow. The Blue Mountains also create their own weather: moist easterly air from the Pacific rises over the escarpment and condenses, so rainfall is heavier here than in the drier Penrith plains to the east. Blackheath and Mount Victoria, 5 to 15 km further west and slightly higher, run 1 to 2°C cooler than Katoomba; compare the villages in our neighborhoods guide.
Blue Mountains Weather by Month: The Numbers
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.4 | 12.9 | 164.9 |
| February | 22.5 | 13.0 | 177.8 |
| March | 20.4 | 11.6 | 174.6 |
| April | 16.9 | 8.8 | 121.9 |
| May | 13.3 | 6.1 | 100.3 |
| June | 10.2 | 3.7 | 116.0 |
| July | 9.5 | 2.6 | 84.9 |
| August | 11.3 | 3.3 | 79.3 |
| September | 14.8 | 5.5 | 70.7 |
| October | 17.8 | 7.8 | 91.5 |
| November | 20.5 | 9.9 | 110.3 |
| December | 22.6 | 11.8 | 120.4 |
Source: Bureau of Meteorology, Katoomba (Murri Street) station, long-term averages. The annual mean maximum is 16.9°C, the mean minimum 8.1°C, and the yearly rainfall total is 1,410.9mm. February is the wettest month at 177.8mm; September is the driest at 70.7mm.
Blue Mountains Weather by Month: Summer (December to February)
Summer is warm but rarely hot, with daytime highs of 22.5 to 23.4°C (72 to 74°F) and nights around 12 to 13°C. It is also the wettest season, with each month averaging 165 to 178mm of rain, so afternoon thunderstorms are common. Hikers get long daylight hours but should start early to finish before storms build over the escarpment in the late afternoon; pick a route from our things to do list.
Blue Mountains Weather by Month: Autumn (March to May)
March still averages a 20.4°C high and 174.6mm of rain, but by May the high drops to 13.3°C and rainfall eases to about 100mm. This is one of the best windows for walking: clear, crisp days, little humidity, and the gardens around Leura and Mount Wilson turn gold and red from late April. Nights fall to 6°C by May, so bring a warm layer; for a wider look at the seasons, see our best time to visit guide.
Blue Mountains Weather by Month: Winter (June to August)
Winter is cold and clear. July is the chilliest month with a 9.5°C average high and a 2.6°C low, and frost is common on most mornings. Snowfalls are light and usually settle only on the highest ridges near Mount Victoria, but a cold snap can dust Katoomba a few times each winter. Rainfall drops to 79 to 116mm a month, and sunny, still days are frequent, making it a good season for open fires, Yulefest dinners and the winter events in our events and festivals calendar.
Blue Mountains Weather by Month: Spring (September to November)
Spring warms quickly: highs climb from 14.8°C in September to 20.5°C in November, and September is the driest month of the year at 70.7mm. Wildflowers come out on the heathland from September, the rhododendrons bloom in Blackheath in November, and October is peak season for the Leura Gardens Festival. Rain returns by November, so pack a light jacket for showers.
Blue Mountains Weather by Month: Sunshine, Frost and What to Pack
Katoomba gets about 8 hours of sunshine a day in summer and 5 to 6 hours in winter. Frost can occur from April to October, and fog is common in the valleys in autumn and winter, so early-morning lookouts may be clouded over until mid-morning. Pack layers year-round: a fleece and windproof shell even in summer, a beanie and gloves in winter, and waterproof boots for wet, muddy tracks. Match a hotel to the season in where to stay, and sort the train journey with travel tips.
