Weather and climate in Port Hedland (Australia)

The climate of Port Hedland is tropical arid, with a very hot, humid period from December to March and a relatively cool period from May to August.
The town (also called Marapikurrinya) is located in the state of Western Australia, on the coast, at 20 degrees south latitude. We are in the coastal part of the Pilbara region. Further west is Karratha, the other major center of this sparsely populated region. Off the coast are a few small islands, including Bedout Island. Approximately 265 km (165 mi) to the northeast is Eighty Mile Beach.



Despite the location on the coast, the city is particularly hot, because the high subtropical pressures dominate, to which are added the hot winds coming from the east, from the desert. The heat records from October to March are 47/49 °C (117/120 °F).
The sun shines all year round, actually, we are in the sunniest part of Australia.
The wind blows all year round, reducing the feeling of heat (at least, when it's not too hot), although the humidity from the sea often makes the heat sweltering.
The rains are scarce, and the only period with moderate rains is from January to March (sometimes it can rain a lot when a tropical cyclone comes, even in December and April, see below).
In winter, it can sometimes get quite cold at night. In July 2006 the temperature dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F), while in July 1967 it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F).
This area of Western Australia can be affected by tropical cyclones. Cyclones typically form from mid-November to mid-May, but are more likely from late December to late March. In 2023, category 5 cyclone Ilsa hit the city in mid-April.

Best Time

The best time to visit Port Hedland is winter, from June to mid-August, since it is the coolest and driest period of the year.

Port Hedland - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 20.6 °C (69.0 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 31.2 °C (88.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 335 millimeters (13.2 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 1 mm (0 in) in the driest months (October, November) to 80 mm (3.1 in) in the wettest one (February). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 23.5 °C (74 °F) in August to 30 °C (86 °F) in March. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 3625 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Port Hedland - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 31.2 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 26 °C (78.8 °F) and a maximum of 36.5 °C (97.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it dropped to 20 °C (68 °F) in January 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 43.5 °C (110.5 °F). However, it reached 49 °C (120.2 °F) in January 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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February is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 31.1 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) and a maximum of 36.3 °C (97.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.8 °C (64 °F) in February 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 42 °C (108 °F). However, it reached 48.2 °C (118.8 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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March is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 31 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 25 °C (77 °F) and a maximum of 37 °C (98.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17 °C (62.6 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 42 °C (107.5 °F). However, it reached 47 °C (116.6 °F) in March 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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April is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 28.9 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 22.2 °C (72 °F) and a maximum of 35.6 °C (96.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) in April 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103 °F). However, it reached 42.8 °C (109 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 82% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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May is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.4 °C (88.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in May 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) in May 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 84% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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June is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.4 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) in June 2011.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in June 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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July, the coolest month of the year, is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F) in July 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in July 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 12 mm (0.5 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 85% of the time.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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August is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.8 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) and a maximum of 29.9 °C (85.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) in August 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2020.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 90% of the time.
The average humidity is 43%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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September is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.4 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) in September 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 42.2 °C (108 °F) in September 2006.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 88% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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October is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) and a maximum of 36 °C (96.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) in October 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41.5 °C (106.5 °F). However, it reached 46.9 °C (116.4 °F) in October 2002.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 87% of the time.
The average humidity is 49%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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November is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 29.3 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F) and a maximum of 36.5 °C (97.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it dropped to 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) in November 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 43 °C (109.5 °F). However, it reached 46 °C (114.8 °F) in November 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 86% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (80 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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December is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 30.8 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 24.9 °C (76.8 °F) and a maximum of 36.8 °C (98.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it dropped to 19.3 °C (66.7 °F) in December 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 43 °C (109.5 °F). However, it reached 47.7 °C (117.9 °F) in December 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.