Wet and dry season cairns

May to november is the dry season and is characterised by warm temperatures, minimal rainfall and very little humidity. It is characterised by higher humidity, monsoonal rains and tropical storms. Cairns weather has 2 distinct seasons a warm dry season from april to november and a wet season from november to march with tropical monsoons that includes tropical cyclones. I just wanted to ask about the wet season up in cairns and port douglas and enquire just how wet is wet. The impact of a below average wet season is being felt across the far. Humidity levels are low, resulting in gorgeous sunny days that are not uncomfortable. My husband and i are thinking of moving up there towards the end of this year 2012 and wed like to know which months are the wettest and what type of weather we can expect. Average weather in cairns, australia, year round weather. The early wet stats gradually some time in november, and is also known as the troppo season meaning people go crazy from the tropical heat. In northern australia, the monsoon season generally lasts from december to march.

During this time you can expect torrential rains for several hours and relatively high humidity. The air is cooler, but temperatures still reach the high 20s and rarely. The water around the great barrier reef is calm at this time of year, so its perfect for snorkelling and diving. Weather in the northern territory plan nt, australia. During these months the folks who reside in the southern states of australia flee to the northern tropics to escape the bitter cold wet and rainy winter climate to enjoy some sunshine and fun in the sun with the average. Located in the tropics, cairns has a wet and dry season rather than spring, summer, autumn and winter with day time temperatures ranging from 24c in the dry to 33c in the wet. As to the best time of year to visit and dive, anytime is a good time to dive on the great barrier reef off cairns. For example, at cairns maximum average temperatures vary between 31c in january and 25c in july, while the average minimum temperatures vary between 23c in january and 17c in july. Locals know its the dry when the dragonflies come out to play. Mar 24, 2020 when is the best time to visit cairns. Best time to visit cairns for weather and price finder. Regardless of the season those living, working and playing in fnq need stop and check out the natural beauty around them, whilst at the same time, remaining vigilant. Forecasts are issued in july, august and september each year. Darwin can receive more than 1500 mm 59 in of rain in a single wet season october and november are the transition months and are often referred to as the build up because a lot of moisture builds up in the air making it feel very hot and heavy.

Cape york travel is most common outside the monsoon season i. The dry season is also known as a very popular time to be in northern queensland and it is also classed as the peak season. Being a monsoonal climate, most rainfall occurs between january and march. An advantage for holidaying in the wet season is that the region is not as crowded, low season rates apply, and quite often youll get to experience superb weather inbetween the rain showers. Between october and april warm, moist monsoonal northwest winds bring high humidity and a rainfall which gives the wet season its name. Generally, especially if you have not spent much time in the tropics, expect cairns to be far hotter and more humid than you are used to during both of these seasons. The term green season is also sometimes used as a euphemism by tourist authorities. Its no secret that it gets a little warm during the cairns wet season. In cairns, this season typically experiences daytime temperatures between 26 28c, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 1617c. The onset of the wet and dry seasons in east central florida, a subtropical wet dry climate. The tropical rains are the life force of the tropics as it revitalises plants and animals which have been suffering from the stress of a prolonged dry season. The forecasts use the bureau of meteorologys dynamical model poama. The chance of wet days in cairns varies very significantly throughout the year. The rainy season in cairns is summer, which in australia includes the months of december, january and february.

Jun 05, 2017 the tropical north queensland region experiences two distinct seasons the wet season and the dry season. Winter in cairns brings slightly cooler temperatures and lower humidity, making it the peak tourist season. The dry season in the top end runs from may to october. Discover the best time, month or season to visit queensland now. The weather in cairns can be extreme, from warm and pleasant in the dry season to humid and unpredictable in the wet season. The wettest place in australia is about 50km south of cairns. Having said all that, a wet season is northern australia is a spectacular sight to behold. Apr 04, 2020 cairns, with 1103mm, recorded a 62 per cent drop in average rainfall from october 2019 to april 2020.

It is also an ideal time for visiting the great barrier reef as water temperatures are a luxury 29 degrees, and low wind and ideal water clarity provide. In some ways the wet season is the best time to see the rainforest buzzing with life. Barron gorge in the dry season cairns, australia youtube. While typically we begin to experience the australian monsoon season by december, the last time the onset date was this late was during the 201112 wet season. Randy lascody, nws melbourne click here for original detailed study click here to read about the florida rain machine some wet season statistics from north melbourne, florida. The cairns region is located within on a narrow coastal strip between the great dividing range and the coral sea, and is part of australias wet tropics.

This wet monsoonal season begins to develop in december, peaks in january and lasts through march. During the wet season cairns regularly experiences tropical cyclones. The tropical north queensland region experiences two distinct seasons the wet season and the dry season. Top cairns beaches including swimming holes for wet and. What to expect in the wet season cairns cairns tours. Planning on spending a week around cairnsport douglas at the beginning of january but am worried we ll have rain all day every dayis that a possibility or is it more likely to be a short deluge every day but hot and sunny for the most of the. Cairns really only has two seasons the wet and the dry, however a brief. If you are wondering what has happened to the start of our annual wet season the answer is it is happening just not here.

In cairns, the wet season is hot, oppressive, and overcast and the dry season is warm, humid, and partly cloudy. Temperatures typically range from 25c 77f overnight to 33c 91f during the day. Being in far north queensland, the rainy season tends to come in early, usually. Some of our best diving has been experienced during the wet season thanks to warm waters, while the dry season offers visitors more comfortable day time temperatures and conditions, and once in a lifetime opportunities to swim and dive with dwarf minke whales more. Here the climate is tropical and the seasons are broken up into two distinct season the wet and the dry. Usually when the rain comes it comes and 2 seconds outside and you are thoroughly soaked. For locals its amazing to see a trickle of water in the dry season transform into overflowing force of water. For your reference, the photo below was take in august, right in the middle of the dry season.

Rain in cairns at last, but no wet season yet tropic now. Dec 18, 2014 the waterfalls are spectacular in the wet season so this is the best time to tour the waterfalls circuit in the cairns tablelands and take photographs of the waterfalls at their best. Jun 28, 2016 far north queensland fnq can be harsh in the dry one season before changing the spectacular landscape to green and lush during the wet. This is the end of the dry season when humidity starts to build with the onset of the wet season from december. Spring september november in spring average temperatures range from 20. There are two distinct seasons the wet season and the dry season that typically brings hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The climate of queensland is subtropical humid climate with two seasons, a rainy and humid season in summer october to may and a relatively dry season between june and october.

In this area the rainy season is from december to april, with great intensity between january and march. It has two distinct types of climate, the said types being wet and dry. Heres what to expect when it comes to average temperature, inches of rain, and daylight hours throughout the year. Cairns is beautiful year round, so dont let a little rain scare you away from the wet season. Sep 21, 2017 the dry season is also known as a very popular time to be in northern queensland and it is also classed as the peak season. In november the reef comes alive with the annual coral spawning. Wet and dry seasons questacon the national science and. This wet monsoonal season begins to develop in december, peaks in january and lasts. During the wet season, the colours of the rainforest are at their brightest and the waterfalls are full and spectacular. May october in cairns, this season typically experiences daytime temperatures between 26 28c, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 1617c. While typically we begin to experience the australian monsoon season by december, the last time the onset date was this late was during the 201112. Frequently asked questions about the weather in cairns. Cairns weather has 2 distinct seasons a warm dry season from april to november and a wet. Wet seasondry season cape york travel is most common outside the monsoon season i.

The winter months between mayoctober are cooler and less humid. Whens the best time to visit cairns, australia down under. Cairns, with 1103mm, recorded a 62 per cent drop in average rainfall from october 2019 to april 2020. The average maximum temperature in brisbane, ranging between 29c in january and 20c in july. Winter dry season starts in may and finishes in october offering sunshine, fresh breezes and relatively low humidity. Average weather in cairns, australia, year round weather spark. Travelling closer to winter means youll enjoy pleasant, dry days that are still ideal for. Parts of coastal queensland and the western top end typically accumulate 50 mm by late october or early november, spreading. Monsoonal activity during the wet season occasionally causes major flooding of the barron and mulgrave rivers, cutting off road and rail access to the city. These fires are often started by aboriginal people, continuing a practice going back many thousands of years to manage the fuel load on the land to try to prevent really big fires and to drive animals. Northern rainfall onset outlook bureau of meteorology. Cairns weather, climate and seasonal information experience oz. Far north queensland fnq can be harsh in the dry one season before changing the spectacular landscape to green and lush during the wet.

Cairns is a popular winter destination for many australians for exactly these reasons. A cyclone with a moniker plucked straight out of a jane austenera novel is predicted to bolster flagging rainfall records at the tail end of a fairly sapped wet season. Cairns has hot, humid summers and milder temperatures in winter. The estimated residential population of the cairns region was 161,932 persons as at 30 june 2016.

The wet season runs from about november to may and the dry season from june to october. April to september is the best time to visit for the ideal balance of affordable accommodation, warm dry weather and thin crowds. The wet season in cairns is from about november to april. Temperatures range from 21c to 32c 70f to 90f these are similar to the wet season but with lower humidity of around 20 to 35% and theres little or no rain. The summertime wet season in cairns is generally hot and humid, with an average annual rainfall of around 1992 mm average of about 396 mm in january. One of the advantages of visiting during the wet season is that the number of tourists is much lower than during the dry season. It is the buildup to the real wet, and the temperatures gradually increase through 30s into the 40s, and in combination with the tropical humidity southern australia can also get such summer temperatures but not for as long periods as up here, and. The wet season runs from november to april, and brings with it longer and warmer days with a higher than usual chance of rain but dont let that deter you. Does the atherton tablelands experience a wet season.

Aug 29, 2019 the northern rainfall onset occurs when enough rainfall has fallen to stimulate plant growth after the tropical dry season. Planning on spending a week around cairns port douglas at the beginning of january but am worried we ll have rain all day every dayis that a possibility or is it more likely to be a short deluge every day but hot and sunny for the most of the. The climate in cairns falls into two main categories, the dry and wet seasons. This is defined as the date when at least 50 mm of rainfall has accumulated after 1 september. The chart below shows why these seasons are named as they are. The onset of the wet and dry seasons in east central florida, a subtropical wetdry climate. The northern rainfall onset outlook shows the likelihood of an early or late wetseason start across northern australia. The best time though to visit cairns can be decided only once you choose the activities you would like to indulge in. The barron river is a popular spot during the wet season, being also so close to cairns. The wet season sometimes called the rainy season is the time of year when most of a regions average annual rainfall occurs. Whens the best time to visit cairns, australia down under tours. Cairns is located in the tropics and has a warm humid climate.

The cyclone season is normally confined to december and april. Far north queensland is the most northernest part of the state, above and around the city of cairns. Top cairns beaches including swimming holes for wet. During the dry season many waterholes and creeks dry up completely, and grasslands turn brown. Cyclone to bring rainy conclusion to far north wet season. Ways to cool down during the cairns wet season tropical north qld. It doesnt rain every day, in fact since november when the wet season started we have hardly had anything at all. Summer wet season extends from november to april and refreshes. The wet tropics world heritage area is a living natural wonder and a cultural landscape like nowhere else on earth. Snorkelling is good all year round though, the wet season. Which month is the wettest really depends on what is happening and how many lows we have. The green season is an excellent time of the year to experience the magic.

Whens the best time to visit cairns, australia down. Through maps online you can view a range of different mapping layers by clicking on one of the images. Palm cove is situated in the tropics and has a fabulous year round climate, perfect for outdoor enjoyment. There are a few spots where you can stop for a swim, it all depends on the seasonal conditions. On the atherton tablelands, we call this the green season. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 63f to 88f and is rarely below 56f or above 91f. The waterfalls are spectacular in the wet season so this is the best time to tour the waterfalls circuit in the cairns tablelands and take photographs of the waterfalls at their best. It hugs the coastal fringes from townsville to cairns like a long green ribbon.