Weather in Cairns
Cairns enjoys a tropical climate, which means weather can sometimes be erratic. While the city experiences a dry season and a wet season, cyclone season runs from spring to autumn, three quarters of the year.
The summer months (December to February) mark the wet or monsoon season. Temperatures can reach 31°C (88°F) and it's also hot and sticky. This season provides the best time to visit the nearby rainforests, when the foliage is luxurious and the rivers and waterfalls are fully flowing. This is also when underwater visibility is best, making it the perfect season for divers and snorkelers to visit.
Autumn (March to May) is when the dry season resumes, with temperatures averaging between 22°C-29°C (71°F-84°F), both day and night.
Winter (June to August), with its cooler weather and lower humidity, is popular for sightseeing and whale-watching. Prepare for high accommodation and travel costs as this is peak tourist season.
Spring (September to November) witnesses the transition from the dry season to the wet season, and with it, plenty of humidity. Thunderstorms are common, but if you’re willing to brave the weather, you can see the Great Barrier Reef come alive in November when the coral spawns.
| Weather (day) | Temp (max day) | Rain (mm) | Wind (mph) | Humidity Pressure Visibility | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday |
Sunny
|
Sunny skies |
32
°C
|
0 |
9
e
|
0-20% 1016 mb good |
| Monday |
Sunny
|
Sunny skies |
32
°C
|
0 |
10
e
|
0-20% 1016 mb good |
| Tuesday |
Sunny
|
Sunny skies |
32
°C
|
0 |
12
e
|
0-20% 1016 mb good |
| Wednesday |
Sunny
|
Sunny skies |
32
°C
|
0 |
10
e
|
0-20% 1016 mb good |
| Thursday |
Sunny
|
Sunny skies |
32
°C
|
0 |
8
ene
|
0-20% 1016 mb good |
| Friday |
Sunny
|
Sunny skies |
32
°C
|
0 |
7
ene
|
0-20% 1016 mb good |
| Saturday |
Sunny
|
Sunny skies |
32
°C
|
0 |
7
ene
|
0-20% 1016 mb good |
We update the weather data for from our weather partner every four hours. The time the last update was received is detailed here.
- 0 to 30 is very low
- 31 to 50 is low
- 51 to 70 is moderate to low
- 71 to 80 is moderate
- 81 to 90 is moderate to high
- 91 to 100 is high
- Very poor - less than 1km
- Poor - between 1km and 4km
- Moderate - between 4km and 10km
- Good - between 10km and 20km
- Very good - between 20km and 40km
- Excellent - more than 40km
