Climate - Cairns (Australia)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Cairns
Cairns has a tropical climate, with a hot, humid and rainy season from December to April, and a cooler and relatively dry season from May to August. From September to November, temperatures rise, and from October also the rains become more frequent, even though they are still generally not too abundant.
Cairns is located on the northeastern coast of Australia, in the region called Far North Queensland, at almost 17 degrees south latitude, in the southeast part of the great Cape York Peninsula. About 20 km (12 mi) north of the city is Ellis Beach, while 25 km (15.5 mi) away from Cairns is Green Island, belonging to the Great Barrier Reef.
In the vicinity of the city there are low mountains that reach about 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) in height and belong to the Great Dividing Range, which runs through the eastern part of Australia. These mountains are covered in forests and are protected in reserves and national parks.
In good weather, from October to March it can get very hot, and the temperature can reach or exceed 35 °C (95 °F), while from November to February it can reach 40 °C (104 °F). At the end of November 2018, the temperature exceeded 37 °C (99 °F) for five days in a row and reached a maximum of 42.6 degrees Celsius (108.7 °F).
In the rainy season, particularly heavy rains can cause the overflow of the Barron River, which reaches the sea north of the city.
This northern area of Queensland can be affected by tropical cyclones. Cyclones typically form from mid-November to mid-May, but are more likely from January to late March.
Best Time
To visit Cairns you can choose winter, from June to August, as it is the coolest and driest period of the year.
The sea is warm enough for swimming even in this season, however, it can sometimes get a little cool at night, so the period from mid-September to mid-October may be preferred.
Cairns - Climate data
In Cairns, the average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 27.8 °C (82.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.Cairns - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 24 | 31.7 | 27.8 | 75 | 89 | 82.1 |
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| February | 24.1 | 31.4 | 27.8 | 75 | 89 | 82 |
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| March | 23.3 | 30.9 | 27.1 | 74 | 88 | 80.8 |
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| April | 21.9 | 29.6 | 25.8 | 71 | 85 | 78.4 |
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| May | 20.2 | 28 | 24.1 | 68 | 82 | 75.4 |
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| June | 18.5 | 26.5 | 22.5 | 65 | 80 | 72.5 |
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| July | 17.2 | 26.2 | 21.7 | 63 | 79 | 71.1 |
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| August | 17.3 | 27 | 22.2 | 63 | 81 | 71.9 |
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| September | 18.8 | 28.7 | 23.8 | 66 | 84 | 74.8 |
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| October | 20.8 | 29.9 | 25.4 | 69 | 86 | 77.6 |
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| November | 22.5 | 31.1 | 26.8 | 72 | 88 | 80.2 |
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| December | 23.6 | 31.7 | 27.6 | 74 | 89 | 81.8 |
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| Year | 21 | 29.4 | 25.15 | 69.8 | 84.9 | 77.5 |
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In Cairns, precipitation amounts to 1980 millimeters (78 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 25 mm (1 in) in the driest month (August) to 480 mm (18.9 in) in the wettest one (February). Here is the average precipitation.Cairns - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 385 | 15.2 | 16 |
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| February | 480 | 18.9 | 15 |
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| March | 375 | 14.8 | 15 |
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| April | 180 | 7.1 | 14 |
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| May | 80 | 3.1 | 10 |
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| June | 45 | 1.8 | 7 |
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| July | 35 | 1.4 | 6 |
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| August | 25 | 1 | 4 |
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| September | 30 | 1.2 | 4 |
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| October | 65 | 2.6 | 6 |
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| November | 85 | 3.3 | 8 |
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| December | 185 | 7.3 | 11 |
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| Year | 1980 | 78 | 116 |
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At Cairns, the sea temperature ranges from 24 °C (75 °F) in July, August to 29 °C (84 °F) in January, February. Here are the average sea temperatures.Cairns - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 29 | 84 | February | 29 | 84 | March | 28.5 | 83 | April | 27.5 | 82 | May | 26 | 79 | June | 25 | 77 | July | 24 | 76 | August | 24 | 75 | September | 25 | 77 | October | 26 | 79 | November | 27.5 | 81 | December | 28.5 | 83 | Year | 26.7 | 80.1 |
In Cairns, there are on average around 2720 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Cairns - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 7 | 210 | February | 6 | 175 | March | 6.5 | 200 | April | 7 | 205 | May | 7 | 210 | June | 7 | 215 | July | 7.5 | 230 | August | 8 | 250 | September | 8.5 | 260 | October | 9 | 275 | November | 8.5 | 255 | December | 7.5 | 230 | Year | 7.5 | 2720 |
Cairns - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Cairns is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24 °C (75.2 °F) and a maximum of 31.7 °C (89.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) in January 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in January 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 385 mm (15.2 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In February, the weather in Cairns is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) and a maximum of 31.4 °C (88.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in February 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 480 mm (18.9 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In March, the weather in Cairns is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.1 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F) and a maximum of 30.9 °C (87.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) in March 2009.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in March 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 375 mm (14.8 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In April, the weather in Cairns is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.8 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 21.9 °C (71.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.6 °C (85.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) in April 1994.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 33.2 °C (91.8 °F) in April 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 180 mm (7.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In May, the weather in Cairns is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.1 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in May 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in May 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In June, the weather in Cairns is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) and a maximum of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 8.9 °C (48 °F) in June 2007.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) in June 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In July, the coolest month of the year, the weather in Cairns is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.7 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 17.2 °C (63 °F) and a maximum of 26.2 °C (79.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 29.9 °C (85.8 °F) in July 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In August, the weather in Cairns is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.3 °C (63.1 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) in August 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In September, the weather in Cairns is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.8 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) and a maximum of 28.7 °C (83.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it dropped to 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) in September 2019.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 33.6 °C (92.5 °F) in September 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In October, the weather in Cairns is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 25.4 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.9 °C (85.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in October 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In November, the weather in Cairns is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.8 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) and a maximum of 31.1 °C (88 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) in November 2019.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 42.6 °C (108.7 °F) in November 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In December, the weather in Cairns is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) and a maximum of 31.7 °C (89.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (69.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) in December 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in December 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 185 mm (7.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
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