Weather and climate in Townsville (Australia)

Townsville has a tropical climate, with a hot, rainy season from December to March and a dry season from April to November, within which there is a relatively cool season from May to September.
The city is located on the northeastern coast of Australia, in Queensland, at 19 degrees south latitude. Near the coast is Magnetic Island, while further north is the group known as Palm Island. Off the coast is the Great Barrier Reef.
The rains are decidedly less abundant than in the area to the north (see Cairns), which is the rainiest in Australia. However, the rains vary greatly depending on the year, so much so that in some years it can rain a lot even in April and November. Moreover, in summer, especially in January and February, which are already the rainiest months, there can sometimes be torrential rainfall.



In good weather, from September to April it can get very hot, and the temperature can reach or exceed 35 °C (95 °F), while from November to February it can reach or exceed 40 °C (104 °F). The highest record is 44.3 °C (111.7 °F) and was set in January 1994. At the end of November 2018, the temperature exceeded 38 °C (100.5 °F) for five days in a row and reached a maximum of 41.7 degrees Celsius (107 °F).
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 late December to late March.

Best Time

To visit Townsville you can choose the relatively cool period, from May to September, which is also the driest of the year. In September, however, the risk of hot weather increases.
The sea is warm enough for swimming even in this season, however, it can sometimes get a little cool at night, so the month of October may be preferred for a beach holiday.

Townsville - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 19.8 °C (67.7 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 28.3 °C (82.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1095 millimeters (43.1 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 10 mm (0.4 in) in the driest month (September) to 340 mm (13.4 in) in the wettest one (February). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 23 °C (73 °F) in August to 29 °C (84 °F) in February. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 3150 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Townsville - 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, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.3 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) and a maximum of 31.9 °C (89.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it dropped to 18.7 °C (65.7 °F) in January 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 44.3 °C (111.7 °F) in January 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 255 mm (10 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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February is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) and a maximum of 31.7 °C (89.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19 °C (66.2 °F) in February 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 340 mm (13.4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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March is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) and a maximum of 31.3 °C (88.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17 °C (62.6 °F) in March 2002.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in March 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 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 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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April is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25.6 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 21.1 °C (70 °F) and a maximum of 30.2 °C (86.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in April 1994.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in April 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 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 70%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 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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May is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.1 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 18 °C (64.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.2 °C (82.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in May 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in May 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.2 °C (79.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in June 1995.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in June 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and a maximum of 25.7 °C (78.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in July 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 14 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 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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August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) and a maximum of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) in August 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 32.3 °C (90.1 °F) in August 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °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. The average temperature is of 23.2 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) in September 2011.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 36.5 °C (97.7 °F) in September 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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October is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25.4 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 21.1 °C (70 °F) and a maximum of 29.8 °C (85.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.8 °C (55 °F) in October 1994.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 36.3 °C (97.3 °F) in October 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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November is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 27.1 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.1 °C (73.6 °F) and a maximum of 31.1 °C (88 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in November 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) in November 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (80.5 °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 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) and a maximum of 31.9 °C (89.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °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 (95 °F). However, it reached 41.3 °C (106.3 °F) in December 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 7 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.