Climate Insights for Townsville

The climate in Townsville is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 24°C and approximately 1345mm of precipitation falls per year. February is the wettest month, receiving around 350mm of rainfall. Townsville 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: December, February, January. The coldest months are July, August, June, when temperatures can drop to 16°C.

Townsville sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 16°C to 31°C. The warmest month is December, when average highs reach 31°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 16°C and an average of 20°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.

Townsville is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1345mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 112mm per month. The wettest month is February, averaging 350mm of rainfall. January and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is September, with just 11mm. That's 339mm less than February, 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.

Townsville is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 10km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is November, averaging 11km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 9km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently winter in Townsville, which began on June 21, 2026. Townsville is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed: spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in December at around 31°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 16°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (7 days from now).

The best time to visit Townsville is during May, June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 28mm per month. By contrast, December can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 31°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Townsville 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.