Climate

Summer: December – February

Average temperature 23-31°C. Great time for beaches and water activities. Remember to Slip, Slop, Slap and have your insect repellant for those mosquitos. During November to April when swimming at the beaches be aware of signage indicating enclosed areas to swim away from box jelly fish. January to March are usually the months of highest rainfall – usually fantastic hot days followed by occasional tropical storms. The cool rainforests and mountain creeks are a wonderful retreat from the hot summer days. During the months of January to April, the tropical north of Queensland including the Cairns region is a risk area for tropical cyclones.

Autumn: March – May

Average temperature 20-30°C. Usually lovely sunny days followed by glorious nights – ideal for both indoor and outdoor activities and very popular with the fishing and boating enthusiasts.

Winter: June – August

Average temperature 18-26°C. Generally sunny and dry – a haven from the colder climates to the south. Casual clothing is recommended for most of the year although a jacket will come in handy on cooler winter nights. Usually ideal conditions for enjoying what the tropical north has to offer.

Spring: September – November

Average temperature 18-30°C. Similar to Autumn with glorious sunny days followed by balmy evenings, perfect for outdoor and indoor activities. Enjoy a day at the beach or on the Reef. During November to April when swimming at the beaches be aware of signage indicating enclosed areas to swim away from box jelly fish.

The Cairns region has a fabulous tropical climate ideal for outdoor enjoyment . Cairns has a winter period of balmy temperatures and low rainfall and a summer period of warm temperatures with increased rainfall (the “wet” season). The average maximum temperatures are 31.4 degrees celsius and an average minimum of 17.0 degrees celsius

Climate data for Cairns from Jan to June

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Average high °C (°F) 31.4 (88.5) 31.2 (88.2) 30.5 (86.9) 29.2 (84.6) 27.6 (81.7) 25.9 (78.6)
Average low °C (°F) 23.7 (74.7) 23.7 (74.7) 23.0 (73.4) 21.6 (70.9) 19.9 (67.8) 17.8 (64)
Precipitation mm (inches) 392.2 (15.441) 452.5 (17.815) 420.8 (16.567) 198.3 (7.807) 91.5 (3.602) 46.8 (1.843)
% Humidity 70.5% 73.5% 72.5% 71.5% 70.0% 67.5%
Sunshine hours 210.8 170.8 201.5 201.0 207.7 216.0
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

 

Climate data for Cairns from Jul to Dec

Month

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

Average high °C (°F) 25.7 (78.3) 26.5 (79.7) 28.0 (82.4) 29.5 (85.1) 30.6 (87.1) 31.4 (88.5) 29.0 (84.2)
Average low °C (°F) 17.0 (62.6) 17.4 (63.3) 18.6 (65.5) 20.6 (69.1) 22.3 (72.1) 23.4 (74.1) 20.8 (69.4)
Precipitation mm (inches) 29.6 (1.165) 27.3 (1.075) 33.8 (1.331) 39.8 (1.567) 91.7 (3.61) 180.0 (7.087) 2,011.3 (79.185)
% Humidity 64.5% 63.0% 60.5% 61.5% 64.0% 66.5% 67.5%
Sunshine hours 229.4 244.9 258.0 275.9 255.0 238.7 2,701.0
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology