Dubbo falls in the warm temperate climate zone. Under Köppen climate classification, Dubbo has a humid subtropical climate ("Cfa") that borders the semi-arid climate ("BSk"). Summers are warm to hot, and winters cool to cold, bringing some occurrences of early morning frost but generally no snowfall – unlike the nearby city of Orange. The last occurrence of snow was recorded by "The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate" in July 1951 and 1920. The town's location in this transition area allows a large temperature variation during the year, with high summer temperatures, sometimes peaking above typical of the Western Plains of New South Wales and colder subzero temperatures typical of the Central Tablelands in winter.