Climate Insights for Cairns

The climate in Cairns is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 23°C and approximately 1,735 mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 431 mm of rainfall. Cairns is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed: summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: February, January, December. The coldest months are August, July, June, when temperatures can drop to 18°C.The climate in Cairns is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 74°F and approximately 68.3 in of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 17 in of rainfall. Cairns is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed: summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: February, January, December. The coldest months are August, July, June, when temperatures can drop to 64°F.

Cairns sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 18°C to 29°C. The warmest month is February, when average highs reach 29°C and the mean temperature sits around 26°C. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 18°C and an average of 20°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 5°C between highs and lows.Cairns sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 64°F to 84°F. The warmest month is February, when average highs reach 84°F and the mean temperature sits around 79°F. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 64°F and an average of 68°F. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 9°F between highs and lows.

Cairns is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1,735 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 145 mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 431 mm of rainfall. February and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is September, with just 27 mm. That's 404 mm less than January, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.Cairns is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 68.3 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 5.7 in per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 17 in of rainfall. February and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is September, with just 1.1 in. That's 15.9 in less than January, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Cairns is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 12km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is May, averaging 14km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 10km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 4km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 12km/h in winter, 11km/h in spring, 10km/h in summer, 13km/h in autumn.Cairns is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 7mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is May, averaging 9mph, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 6mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 3mph gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 8mph in winter, 7mph in spring, 6mph in summer, 8mph in autumn.

The best time to visit Cairns is during May, June, July, August, September, October and November, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 22°C with modest rainfall averaging 40 mm per month. By contrast, February can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 29°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.The best time to visit Cairns is during May, June, July, August, September, October and November, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 71°F with modest rainfall averaging 1.6 in per month. By contrast, February can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 84°F. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Cairns based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.The table below shows monthly climate averages for Cairns based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.