Weather in Cairns
What's the weather like in Cairns?
Cairns has warm year-round and heavy rainfall, especially in the wet season. Average daytime highs range from 30°C (86°F) in January to 24°C (75°F) in July, with overnight lows around 24°C (76°F) and 18°C (65°F) respectively.
For comfortable sightseeing temperatures (18–26°C daytime highs), the best months to visit Cairns are April through September.
Quick facts
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Region
- Oceania
- Time zone
- Australia/Brisbane
- Coordinates
- -16.920, 145.771
Monthly climate
Long-run averages for each month of the year.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C / 86°F | 24°C / 76°F | 375 mm | 28 | — |
| February | 30°C / 87°F | 25°C / 76°F | 293 mm | 24 | — |
| March | 29°C / 85°F | 24°C / 75°F | 293 mm | 25 | — |
| April | 28°C / 82°F | 23°C / 73°F | 199 mm | 25 | — |
| May | 26°C / 79°F | 21°C / 70°F | 81 mm | 19 | — |
| June | 25°C / 76°F | 19°C / 67°F | 63 mm | 19 | — |
| July | 24°C / 75°F | 18°C / 65°F | 42 mm | 15 | — |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 18°C / 65°F | 32 mm | 13 | — |
| September | 26°C / 80°F | 20°C / 67°F | 33 mm | 16 | — |
| October | 28°C / 83°F | 21°C / 70°F | 47 mm | 16 | — |
| November | 30°C / 85°F | 23°C / 73°F | 55 mm | 21 | — |
| December | 30°C / 86°F | 24°C / 75°F | 259 mm | 22 | — |
Cairns by month
Detailed weather for any specific month:
Seasonal patterns to know
Northern Australia cyclone season runs November–April (peak January–March). Tropical cyclones and heavy rain — most likely December–April.
Cities with a similar climate to Cairns
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Cairns?
The most comfortable months in Cairns are usually June, July, August, when average highs sit near 18–26°C (64–79°F) with relatively little rain. See the full month-by-month breakdown for the exact figures.
What is the hottest month in Cairns?
February is typically the hottest month in Cairns, averaging a high of 30°C (87°F).
What is the coldest month in Cairns?
July is usually the coldest, with average lows around 18°C (65°F).
Does it snow in Cairns?
Snow is rare in Cairns; the climate data shows essentially no snowfall across the year.
Live forecast, sunrise/sunset, and more.