Launceston has a cool temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Summer (December to February) is the best time to visit: temperatures reach 22–26°C, the days are long, and Cataract Gorge is at its most accessible. The Tasmania summer also coincides with events across the state. Autumn (March to May) brings good weather and the harvest season in the Tamar Valley vineyards, with cellar doors open and foliage turning on the hills.
Winter (June to August) is cold, foggy, and wet — Launceston earns its nickname "foggy hollow" in earnest. The Ben Lomond ski field to the east is the consolation. Spring (September to November) is mild and flowery, with City Park's gardens at their best. Avoid the school holiday periods in January and early April if you want the city to yourself.