Darwin has a tropical savanna climate with two distinct seasons: a hot, humid wet season from November to April and a warm, dry season from May to October. This Darwin travel guide covers everything from monthly weather data to where to stay.Unlike southern Australian cities, Darwin’s temperature stays remarkably consistent year-round, with average daily maximums between 30°C and 33°C (86-91°F) every month. What changes dramatically is rainfall: the city receives 1,729mm (68 inches) annually, but more than 95% of it falls during the wet season. January alone averages 426mm (16.8 inches) across 21 rainy days, while July typically records just 1mm across a single day.
Darwin Weather by Month: Temperature and Rainfall
The table below shows Darwin’s monthly climate averages based on Bureau of Meteorology data (Darwin Airport station, 30-year period). All temperatures are in Celsius with Fahrenheit equivalents. Rainfall figures are in millimetres. See our best time to visit Darwin.
| Month | Avg Max (°C/°F) | Avg Min (°C/°F) | Rainfall (mm) | Rain Days | Sea Temp (°C/°F) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.8 / 89.2 | 24.8 / 76.6 | 426 | 21 | 30 / 86 | 5.7 |
| February | 31.4 / 88.5 | 24.7 / 76.5 | 375 | 20 | 30 / 86 | 5.5 |
| March | 31.9 / 89.4 | 24.5 / 76.1 | 318 | 19 | 30 / 86 | 6.4 |
| April | 32.7 / 90.9 | 24.0 / 75.2 | 101 | 9 | 30 / 86 | 8.2 |
| May | 32.0 / 89.6 | 22.1 / 71.8 | 21 | 2 | 28 / 82 | 9.3 |
| June | 30.6 / 87.1 | 20.0 / 68.0 | 2 | 1 | 26 / 79 | 9.7 |
| July | 30.6 / 87.1 | 19.3 / 66.7 | 1 | 1 | 25 / 77 | 10.1 |
| August | 31.4 / 88.5 | 20.4 / 68.7 | 5 | 1 | 25 / 77 | 10.3 |
| September | 32.6 / 90.7 | 23.0 / 73.4 | 16 | 2 | 27 / 81 | 9.8 |
| October | 33.3 / 91.9 | 25.0 / 77.0 | 70 | 6 | 29 / 84 | 9.5 |
| November | 33.3 / 91.9 | 25.4 / 77.7 | 139 | 11 | 30 / 86 | 7.8 |
| December | 32.6 / 90.7 | 25.5 / 77.9 | 255 | 17 | 31 / 88 | 6.2 |
Darwin Weather by Month: The Wet Season (November to April)
November and December: The Build-Up
The build-up starts in November when humidity climbs sharply from the dry-season lows. November is Darwin’s hottest month with average maximums of 33.3°C (91.9°F) and minimums that never drop below 25°C (77°F). Rainfall increases from 70mm in October to 139mm in November, mostly as late-afternoon thunderstorms. December brings 255mm of rain across 17 days and humidity that stays above 70% around the clock. The sea warms to 31°C (88°F), making swimming feel more like a bath than a cooldown. December also marks the official start of the Australian cyclone season, though Darwin itself has been hit by only three cyclones since 1974 (Cyclone Tracy). See our things to do in Darwin.
January and February: Peak Monsoon
January is Darwin’s wettest month with 426mm (16.8 inches) of rain across 21 days. Rain comes in intense bursts, often in the afternoon or overnight, with 50mm or more falling in a single storm. Daytime highs average 31.8°C (89.2°F) but the 80% humidity makes it feel closer to 38°C (100°F). February is similar: 375mm of rain, 20 rain days, and humidity that rarely dips below 75%. Tropical lows and monsoon troughs can bring multi-day rain events, and roads in Kakadu and Litchfield national parks may close due to flooding. February is the peak month for tropical cyclone activity across northern Australia, though most systems track south of Darwin toward the Kimberley and Gulf of Carpentaria. See our Darwin events and festivals calendar.
March and April: Transition
March still receives 318mm of rain but the monsoon pattern starts to break apart, with more sunny mornings and fewer all-day rain events. April is the real transition month: rainfall drops to 101mm across just 9 days, and humidity falls noticeably from the wet-season peak. April temperatures are the year’s highest, averaging 32.7°C (90.9°F) for daytime maximums, but the lower humidity makes it feel more comfortable than January. By late April, the dry-season southeast trade winds begin to establish, and locals start heading back to outdoor markets and beer gardens that closed during the wet. See our Darwin neighborhoods guide.
Darwin Weather by Month: The Dry Season (May to October)
May and June: Cool and Clear
May is a dramatic shift: rainfall drops to just 21mm (2 rain days) and overnight lows fall to 22.1°C (71.8°F). The humidity drops below 60% for the first time since October, and skies are clear. June goes further: just 2mm of rain across a single day, minimums of 20°C (68°F), and 9.7 hours of sunshine daily. This is when Darwin’s outdoor lifestyle kicks into high gear. Evenings are cool enough for a light jacket by local standards, and the Mindil Beach Sunset Market begins its dry-season run in late April. See our where to stay in Darwin.
July and August: Peak Dry Season
July is Darwin’s coolest and driest month: daily maximums average 30.6°C (87.1°F), overnight lows drop to 19.3°C (66.7°F), and just 1mm of rain falls across a single day. Humidity sits at 30-40% during the afternoon, making 30°C feel completely different from the wet-season 30°C. August is nearly identical: 5mm of rain, minimums of 20.4°C (68.7°F), and 10.3 hours of daily sunshine. The sea temperature drops to 25°C (77°F), still warm enough for swimming but noticeably cooler than the bathwater of January. These two months host the majority of Darwin’s festivals, including the Darwin Festival (August), Darwin Cup Carnival (July-August), and the Beer Can Regatta (July). See our Darwin travel tips.
September and October: Heating Up
September is many locals’ favourite month: 32.6°C (90.7°F) maximums, just 16mm of rain, and humidity that has not yet started to build. The ocean warms back to 27°C (81°F) and the sun shines 9.8 hours daily. October is when the build-up begins: temperatures reach 33.3°C (91.9°F), rainfall jumps to 70mm, and humidity starts its climb back toward wet-season levels. By late October, the afternoon thunderstorms return with their dramatic lightning displays over Darwin Harbour. The first monsoon burst typically arrives in late December, though it can come as early as November or as late as January.
Darwin Weather by Month: Sea Temperature and Swimming
Darwin’s sea temperature ranges from 25°C (77°F) in July-August to 31°C (88°F) in December. Swimming is possible year-round by temperature alone, but practical considerations matter more than water warmth. During the wet season (November-April), coastal waters carry box jellyfish (the deadly Chironex fleckeri) and Irukandji jellyfish, making ocean swimming unsafe without a stinger suit. From May to October, when jellyfish risk is low, the sea is clear and safe for swimming at patrolled beaches like Mindil Beach and Casuarina Beach. Saltwater crocodiles inhabit most waterways around Darwin, including beaches, creeks, and estuaries. Never swim in unpatrolled areas, marinas, or mangrove-lined creeks regardless of the season. The Darwin Waterfront Recreation Lagoon and Wave Pool provide a safe, crocodile-free swimming alternative year-round with filtered seawater.
Darwin Weather by Month: Cyclone Risk
The official Australian cyclone season runs from November 1 to April 30. Darwin’s location on the Timor Sea places it within the cyclone belt, but the city has been directly hit only a handful of times in recorded history. Cyclone Tracy (December 24-25, 1974) destroyed 70% of Darwin’s buildings and killed 71 people, leading to the construction of modern cyclone-coded buildings that dominate the city today. Cyclone Marcus (March 2018) caused widespread tree damage but no fatalities. The Bureau of Meteorology provides 3-day cyclone watch and 24-hour cyclone warning notifications. If you are visiting during cyclone season, monitor BOM’s website (bom.gov.au) and follow the advice of your accommodation provider. The risk of a direct hit in any given week is extremely low, but heavy rain and road closures from passing tropical lows are common during January through March.
Darwin Weather by Month: UV Index and Sun Protection
Darwin’s UV index is extreme year-round due to its latitude (12.5°S, just 1,400km from the equator). The UV index reaches 13-15 in the wet season and 9-11 in the dry season. Any reading above 3 requires sun protection according to Australian Cancer Council guidelines, and Darwin exceeds that every single day of the year. Sunburn can occur in less than 10 minutes during the middle of the day. Wear SPF50+ sunscreen, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeved shirt between 10am and 3pm regardless of cloud cover. The dry season’s lower humidity can create a false sense of safety: you may not feel as hot, but the UV radiation is still intense enough to burn quickly.
