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Cairns, Queensland Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Cairns, Queensland?
Cairns, Queensland gets 1917 mm of precipitation a year over about 153 rainy days. January is the warmest month (average high 32°C) and July the coldest (average low 17°C).
Tropical monsoon climate
Cairns, Queensland has hot summers and warm winters. Daytime highs range from about 26°C in July to 32°C in December. February is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to July, when daytime highs sit near 26°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jun–Aug | 17° | 27° |
| Spring | Sep–Nov | 20° | 30° |
| Summer | Dec–Feb | 23° | 32° |
| Autumn | Mar–May | 22° | 29° |
How much rain does Cairns get?
Cairns gets 1917 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 153 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 94% of Australia.
February is the wettest month, with 444 mm. August is the driest, with 27 mm. January has the most rainy days, about 20.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 29 days, to November 7, 2023.
Cairns weather by month
Cairns weather in January
In January, Cairns averages a high of 32°C and a low of 24°C. It gets 398 mm of precipitation over about 20 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 19% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 38°C (2013) and the record low is 19°C (2012).
Cairns weather in February
In February, Cairns averages a high of 32°C and a low of 24°C. It gets 444 mm of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 21% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 40°C (2020) and the record low is 19°C (2018).
Cairns weather in March
In March, Cairns averages a high of 31°C and a low of 23°C. It gets 352 mm of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 32% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 37°C (2022) and the record low is 18°C (2009).
Cairns weather in April
In April, Cairns averages a high of 30°C and a low of 22°C. It gets 172 mm of precipitation over about 17 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 38% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 33°C (2017) and the record low is 16°C (2018).
Cairns weather in May
In May, Cairns averages a high of 28°C and a low of 19°C. It gets 82 mm of precipitation over about 14 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 31°C (2020) and the record low is 11°C (2001).
Cairns weather in June
In June, Cairns averages a high of 27°C and a low of 18°C. It gets 43 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 31°C (2002) and the record low is 9°C (2002). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Cairns weather in July
In July, Cairns averages a high of 26°C and a low of 17°C. It gets 35 mm of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 53% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 30°C (2012) and the record low is 8°C (2001). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Cairns weather in August
In August, Cairns averages a high of 27°C and a low of 17°C. It gets 27 mm of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 55% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 31°C (2018) and the record low is 8°C (2025).
Cairns weather in September
In September, Cairns averages a high of 29°C and a low of 18°C. It gets 28 mm of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 53% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 38°C (1981) and the record low is 9°C (2019).
Cairns weather in October
In October, Cairns averages a high of 30°C and a low of 21°C. It gets 64 mm of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 57% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 36°C (2002) and the record low is 12°C (1999).
Cairns weather in November
In November, Cairns averages a high of 31°C and a low of 22°C. It gets 85 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 50% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 41°C (2018) and the record low is 17°C (2014).
Cairns weather in December
In December, Cairns averages a high of 32°C and a low of 23°C. It gets 187 mm of precipitation over about 14 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 36% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 38°C (2018) and the record low is 15°C (1980).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Cairns
October is the sunniest month in Cairns, with estimated sunshine of 57% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest, at 19%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 42% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Cairns is cloudier than 81% of Australia.
Humidity peaks in January at 85% and is lowest in September at 78%.
Cairns has about 39 days a year above 32°C. Cairns is hotter than 50% of Australia.
Cairns weather records
These records cover CAIRNS POST OFFICE during 1973–2025. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Cairns station is 41°C, on November 28, 2018. The coldest is 8°C, on July 29, 2001.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 346 mm of precipitation, on January 30, 1994.
15 all-time records have been set at the station since 1973.
The best time to visit Cairns
The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to July, when daytime highs sit near 26°C.
Winter (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 27°C and lows near 17°C.
Spring (September–November) is hot, with average highs around 30°C and lows near 20°C.
Summer (December–February) is hot, with average highs around 32°C and lows near 24°C. It can feel humid.
Autumn (March–May) is hot, with average highs around 30°C and lows near 21°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24° | 32° | 398 mm | 20 | 85% | 19% | 38° | 19° |
| February | 24° | 32° | 444 mm | 18 | 85% | 21% | 40° | 19° |
| March | 23° | 31° | 352 mm | 18 | 84% | 32% | 37° | 18° |
| April | 22° | 30° | 172 mm | 17 | 84% | 38% | 33° | 16° |
| May | 19° | 28° | 82 mm | 14 | 82% | 46% | 31° | 11° |
| June | 18° | 27° | 43 mm | 10 | 82% | 46% | 31° | 9° |
| July | 17° | 26° | 35 mm | 9 | 79% | 53% | 30° | 8° |
| August | 17° | 27° | 27 mm | 7 | 79% | 55% | 31° | 8° |
| September | 18° | 29° | 28 mm | 7 | 78% | 53% | 38° | 9° |
| October | 21° | 30° | 64 mm | 9 | 78% | 57% | 36° | 12° |
| November | 22° | 31° | 85 mm | 11 | 78% | 50% | 41° | 17° |
| December | 23° | 32° | 187 mm | 14 | 82% | 36% | 38° | 15° |
Station: CAIRNS POST OFFICE, 2 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1973–2025; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Cairns climate questions
How much rain does Cairns get?
Cairns gets 1917 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 153 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Cairns?
February is the wettest month in Cairns, with 444 mm. August is the driest, with 27 mm.
How many rainy days does Cairns have a year?
Cairns has about 153 days with measurable rain in an average year. January has the most, about 20.
What is the hottest month in Cairns?
January is the warmest month in Cairns, with an average high of 32°C.
What is the coldest month in Cairns?
July is the coldest month in Cairns, with an average low of 17°C.
What is the record high temperature in Cairns?
Within the available 1973–2025 station history, the record high at the Cairns station is 41°C, set on November 28, 2018. The record low is 8°C, on July 29, 2001.
What is the sunniest month in Cairns?
October is the sunniest month in Cairns, with estimated sunshine of 57% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest.
What is the best time to visit Cairns?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to July, when daytime highs sit near 26°C.