For more on best time to visit Cairns, check our best time to visit Cairns. Cairns has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. The city averages roughly 2,000mm of rainfall annually and maintains warm temperatures year-round, with daytime highs rarely dropping below 25°C (77°F) even in the coolest months. Humidity ranges from 63% in September to 74% in February, and the Coral Sea stays warm enough for swimming all year at 23-29°C (73-84°F).
Cairns Weather by Month: Complete Data Table
For more on things to do in Cairns, check our things to do in Cairns. Monthly climate averages for Cairns based on 30+ years of Bureau of Meteorology data from Cairns Airport (station 031011).
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain (mm) | Rain Days | Humidity | Sea Temp | Sun Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31.4°C (88.5°F) | 23.7°C (74.7°F) | 395 | 18 | 73% | 29°C (84°F) | 7 |
| Feb | 31.2°C (88.2°F) | 23.7°C (74.7°F) | 430 | 18 | 74% | 29°C (84°F) | 7 |
| Mar | 30.6°C (87.1°F) | 23.1°C (73.6°F) | 425 | 19 | 73% | 28°C (82°F) | 7 |
| Apr | 29.2°C (84.6°F) | 21.6°C (70.9°F) | 195 | 17 | 71% | 27°C (81°F) | 7 |
| May | 27.6°C (81.7°F) | 20.0°C (68.0°F) | 90 | 14 | 69% | 26°C (79°F) | 7 |
| Jun | 25.9°C (78.6°F) | 18.1°C (64.6°F) | 45 | 10 | 67% | 24°C (75°F) | 7 |
| Jul | 25.6°C (78.1°F) | 17.3°C (63.1°F) | 30 | 8 | 65% | 23°C (73°F) | 8 |
| Aug | 26.4°C (79.5°F) | 17.5°C (63.5°F) | 25 | 7 | 64% | 24°C (75°F) | 8 |
| Sep | 28.0°C (82.4°F) | 18.8°C (65.8°F) | 35 | 7 | 63% | 25°C (77°F) | 9 |
| Oct | 29.5°C (85.1°F) | 20.9°C (69.6°F) | 45 | 8 | 64% | 26°C (79°F) | 9 |
| Nov | 30.8°C (87.4°F) | 22.5°C (72.5°F) | 95 | 10 | 66% | 27°C (81°F) | 8 |
| Dec | 31.4°C (88.5°F) | 23.5°C (74.3°F) | 180 | 13 | 70% | 28°C (82°F) | 8 |
Cairns Weather: Wet Season (November to April)
For more on events and festivals in Cairns, check our events and festivals in Cairns. The wet season accounts for roughly 80% of Cairns’ annual rainfall. January through March are the wettest months, each receiving 395-430mm across 18-19 rain days. Rain typically arrives as short, intense tropical downpours in the late afternoon that clear within an hour, leaving mornings and early afternoons largely dry and sunny. Daytime temperatures stay at 30-31°C (86-88°F) with overnight lows of 23-24°C (73-75°F). Humidity is highest during this period at 70-74%. The sea reaches 28-29°C (82-84°F), but from November to May box jellyfish (stingers) are present in coastal waters, so swimming is limited to stinger nets at patrolled beaches or requires a full-body stinger suit. This period overlaps with the Australian cyclone season (November-April), though direct hits on Cairns are infrequent; the last significant cyclone was Jasper in December 2023.
Cairns Weather: Dry Season (May to October)
For more on best neighborhoods in Cairns, check our best neighborhoods in Cairns. From May to October conditions transform completely. Rainfall drops to just 25-90mm per month, skies are clear for days on end, and humidity falls to a comfortable 63-67%. Daytime temperatures sit at 25-29°C (77-84°F), while nights cool to 17-20°C (63-68°F). July is the coolest month, with average highs of 25.6°C (78.1°F) and lows of 17.3°C (63.1°F). Sea temperatures dip to 23-26°C (73-79°F), comfortable for swimming without a wetsuit. This is also when water visibility on the outer Great Barrier Reef is at its best, reaching 20-30 metres compared to 10-15 metres in the wet season. The dry season coincides with peak tourist season; July and August are the busiest months, with accommodation rates 30-50% higher than wet-season prices.
Cairns Weather: Records and UV Warning
For more on where to stay in Cairns, check our where to stay in Cairns. Cairns has recorded a maximum of 43.6°C (110.5°F) in January and a minimum of 6.2°C (43.2°F) in July, though such extremes are rare. The highest single-day rainfall was 540mm during a cyclone event. The city averages 121 clear days per year. UV levels are extreme year-round, typically hitting 10-14 on the UV Index, so SPF 50+ sunscreen, a broad-brimmed hat, and sunglasses are essential regardless of season or cloud cover. For additional coverage of Cairns travel tips, see our Cairns travel tips. For additional coverage of Cairns travel guide, see our Cairns travel guide.
