If you’re standing in Federation Square right now looking at your phone, you’re probably confused. The current temperature in australia melbourne might say it's a pleasant 23°C on your app, but your skin is telling a completely different story. Maybe you’re shivering in a sudden gust of wind off the Yarra, or perhaps the sun is piercing through the clouds with a ferocity that feels more like 35°C.
Melbourne doesn't have weather. It has "moods."
Today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the city is living up to its reputation. As of mid-afternoon, the official Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) station at Olympic Park is recording 23.3°C. But head just a few kilometers west to Melbourne Airport, and you’re looking at 23.9°C with much stiffer wind gusts. This is the classic Melbourne summer trap. It’s "mild" on paper, but the reality is a chaotic mix of high UV and deceptive breezes.
The Real Deal on the Current Temperature in Australia Melbourne
Most people check the temperature to figure out if they need a jacket. In Melbourne, the answer is always yes. Even when it's 25°C.
Right now, we are seeing a classic "southerly" influence. The humidity is sitting around 61%, which is actually quite high for a Melbourne summer. Usually, our heat is bone-dry—the kind that comes from the desert and makes your nose bleed. Today is different. It’s a "sticky" heat that makes the 23°C feel heavier than it should.
Why the "Feels Like" Matters More
The "Apparent Temperature" is what you actually need to look at. While the thermometer says 23.3°C, the BoM "feels like" index is currently hovering around 21.5°C.
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Why the drop?
The wind. We’ve got south-southeasterly winds blowing at about 19 km/h, with gusts hitting 30 km/h. If you’re in the shade, it’s chilly. If you’re in the sun, the UV index is currently at 11+ (Extreme). You are literally being chilled and sunburned at the exact same time. It’s a uniquely Victorian experience.
The Australian Open Factor
It’s mid-January, which means the city is currently obsessed with tennis. If you’re heading to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open today, the current temperature in australia melbourne is your biggest tactical advantage or your worst enemy.
The draw ceremony is happening today, and the qualifying matches are in full swing. Players on the outer courts are dealing with that 23°C heat, which sounds manageable, but on the hard courts, the surface temperature is likely closer to 40°C.
- Rod Laver Arena: The concrete retains heat like an oven.
- The Wind: Swirling gusts between the stadiums can turn a simple lob into a nightmare.
- The Crowd: Thousands of bodies in the Garden Square make it feel at least three degrees hotter than the official reading.
Surviving the "Four Seasons in One Day" Myth
Everyone jokes about it, but it’s mathematically true. You can see a 15-degree drop in twenty minutes when a cool change hits. Honestly, if you aren't carrying a light knit or a denim jacket, you’re a tourist. Or an optimist. Both are dangerous in Melbourne.
Earlier this morning, at around 4:54 AM, the temperature bottomed out at 15.9°C. By 2:33 PM, we hit the day's peak of 24.1°C. That’s a decent swing, but nothing compared to the "Black Saturday" style heatwaves where we’ve seen the mercury jump from 20°C to 43°C in a single morning.
Practical Advice for Today
If you are out and about right now, here is the reality check:
- Sunscreen is non-negotiable: Even if it looks overcast, the UV is "Extreme." You will burn in 11 minutes. This isn't a guess; it's the data from the Cancer Council Victoria.
- Hydrate beyond water: The humidity is higher today. You’re losing salt. Get an electrolyte drink if you’re walking the Tan or sitting at the tennis.
- Check the "Wind" not the "Temp": A 24°C day with a North wind is a heater. A 24°C day with a South wind (like today) is a cooler. Dress for the wind direction.
- The Evening Drop: Sunset is around 8:42 PM. Once that sun goes down, the temperature will plummet toward 18°C fairly quickly.
Basically, Melbourne's weather is a puzzle. The current temperature in australia melbourne of 23.3°C is just one piece of that puzzle. Don't trust the number on your home screen; trust the wind on your face and the bite of the sun on your arms.
Check the latest BoM radar if you see clouds building toward the Dandenongs. Rain isn't likely today—we’ve had 0.0mm since 9 AM—but in this city, "unlikely" is just a suggestion.