Cairns Weather and Climate - Dear Diary - 2021 - 2024
Weather report - Palm Cove - 12th October 2023
Warm (28° C) albeit windy (33 km/h).
20 degrees overnight. A partly cloudy day. Not the best weather for ocean swimming as the sea is choppy.
Weather Diary - Cairns, Port Douglas and tropical Far North Queensland, Australia.
Coffee in Cairns presents a visual story of Cairns weather and climate, recorded since late 2021.
Cairns experiences a hot monsoonal period from late in the year through to about March/April.
As the diary reveals, however, weather patterns are constantly evolving.
For example, July 2023 was a very rainy month - despite July being a month generally considered to be in middle of dry season - and a peak tourism period.
If you are planning your travels to tropical Far North Queensland, whether to Cairns, Port Douglas or the region generally, we hope this weather diary will help in your travel decisions.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like further guidance.
email: coffeeincairns@gmail.com
The lush green of Aeroglen, May 2022.
Life in Cairns - coffee and weather.
November in Cairns (2021)
It’s 10th November now and things are heating up. Heading off to Envy this morning at about 9:30 am and it’s already 33 degrees.
Envy have closed their doors. It’s to keep the cool in. People are struggling to escape the cafe because it’s confusing as to which glass door to exit lol - especially when laden with their takeaway food and lattes to take back to the office.
There seem to be fewer people about. It’s not quite tourist season and perhaps the warming days are keeping people restricted in their going out.
The Rains.
It’s mid-November and the rains have arrived - on schedule. Misty mountains set the scene and early morning rain has drenched the Northern Beaches.
The sea has been choppy, The Tablelands have had their storms, the air muggy but the cloud cover gives some shade from the sun’s intensity. Daytime temperatures around 33 degrees.
The above photo was taken on Williams Esplanade at Palm Cove, mid-November. The backdrop shows the Macalister Range, with early morning cloud rolling over the hills. The cloud burns off as the morning progresses and the sun breaks through.
Late November 2021
No sign of rain.
It’s gone back to being hot and dry with azure sky and calm blue sea.
Daytime 32 degrees, water temperature 28 degrees, overnight around 24 to 26 degrees.
December 1, 2021
The 1st of December and it’s decidedly muggier in Cairns.
The rains have been intermittent but nothing on the scale of the inundations plaguing other areas of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Daytime temperature today is 32 degrees but with a “feels like” of 38!
Overnights are a cooler 25 degrees.
Skies are blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds.
December 11, 2021
Floods and extreme rain events in South East Queensland yet Cairns in the “wet” season just gets an evening sprinkle or two.
Nights at the beach are very popular - warm and excellent nighttime picnic weather with just a gentle breeze.
Days hot and sunny.
Poinciana (Flame Trees / Delonix regia) adorn the landscape across Cairns. Their form and beauty is captivating.
Photo: Mitchell Street, Machans Beach, Cairns Northern Beaches.
December 14
Beautiful, tranquil Ellis Beach, just north of Palm Cove.
Today’s water temperature is 28 degrees. Stinger nets are in place for safe swimming.
Explore Cairns Beaches.
December 28, 2021
The Wet Tropics Rainforest is now a happy rainforest.
Cairns has received a good drenching over the past two days.
Mornings clear, albeit cloudy, but the rain soon sets in for the day, generally light and persistent which is ideal for vegetation.
Daytime temperature has dropped by 5 degrees to around 27 Celsius, offering respite from the hotter days of December.
4 January 2022
High tide and Hot. This photo taken at Cape Tribulation in the Daintree, a couple of hours’ drive north of Cairns.
Daytime temperature hovered around 32 degrees but climbed to 37 later in the afternoon.
Minimal rains and brief storms have come and gone, leaving hot sunny days.
10 January 2022
Rains bring welcome relief now from the hotter days; daytime temperatures averaging a very comfortable 27 degrees Celsius while dark and moisture-laden clouds appear menacing across the MacAlister Range.
Cyclone Tiffany crossed the Cape York Peninsula to the north but soon became downgraded to a “tropical low”, meanwhile the Mary River flooded Maryborough’s CBD in Queensland’s Fraser Coast Region to the south.
15 January 2022
So what happened to the “rainy season”?
Rains have come and gone and it’s now back to warm blue-sky days and beach weather!
Morning temperatures during coffee time a pleasant 27 to 29 degrees. Overnights 24.
Covid’s Omicron making its presence felt across the state but cafe life continues unabated.
Photo: Palm Cove Beach, Double Island and Haycock Island (also known as Scout Hat).
27 January 2022
A pleasant weather month in Cairns and the Cairns Northern Beaches. Showers, cloud, sunshine.
Nothing too extreme. Vegetation has been well watered and is now luxuriantly green. Daytime temperatures moderated by the cloud cover, keeping the temperature in the high 20’s.
Photo: Rainbow over the Coral Sea, Palm Cove Beach.
8 February 2022
Daytime temperatures remain around 30 degrees and showers intermittent.
The rain is often overnight and the days relatively mild with cloud clover. It’s a pleasant climate but beaches have been closed due to stinger risk. There haven’t been any extremes in temperature nor rainfall.
Photo: Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas.
15 February 2022
More persistent precipitation now in Cairns, interspersed with sunny patches. Temperatures mild. A pleasant time to be Cairns. It’s technically low season for Cairns tourism so quite quiet - an ideal time to visit.
Photo: Yorkeys Knob Boating Club marina on a rainy day.
24 February 2022
It appears that Tropical North Queensland has forgone its big wet season and sent all the rain clouds south; South East Queensland has been inundated with “record-breaking” downpours and major flooding, while Cairns is high and dry.
That said, it did try to rain today. Big black clouds loomed with the threat of rain, followed by a teaser of 5 minutes sprinkle!
Temperature about average - 32 degrees
Photo: Trinity Beach
10 March 2022
Hot. This is the best description of Cairns in March 2022.
Temperatures in mid 30’s during the day and down as low as 27, 28 at night!
It’s humid and hot. Very little rain.
The so-called “rainy season” has by-passed Cairns this year, so far. It went south and “bombed” South East Queensland, New South Wales, including Gympie, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Lismore and Sydney.
Air conditioning is the order of the day in Cairns at present.
Photo: Palm Cove.
14 March 2022
Welcome to The Rains, albeit 4 months late!
It appears that the “rainy season” has begun now.
Some heavy downpours and a good general drenching, coupled with a 10 degree drop in daytime temperature - down to a “chilly” 25 degrees.
Cairns locals have been doing rain dances and have welcomed the arrival of “the big wet” to replenish and refresh.
Photo: Palm Cove.
27 March 2022
Late March. Rains have eased. Temperatures have come off their summer peak.
Sunshine. Some cloudy days and some grey overcast days. Benign temperatures high twenties through to 31 degrees. Overnight around 24 degrees.
It’s a very pleasant climate without the intensity of the heat experienced a few weeks back. Cooling breeze at the beach.
Photo: Trinity Beach
04 April 2022
Most days are hot and sunny now with little sign of rain. Cairns forwent its rainy season this year and instead sent all its rain to South East Queensland and New South Wales.
The 4th April has a temperature range of 24 degrees to 33 degrees.
School holidays have begun, Covid has been forgotten, Federal elections loom, Ukraine and its people continue to endure unimaginable suffering.
Far North Queensland tourism has bounced back; accommodation bookings surpassing 2019 levels.
This photo shows the Redlynch Valley, near Freshwater Creek and Goomborra Park.
21 April 2022
April has seen the seasonal change from Summer to Autumn. Slowly, slowly, the day and night temperatures have fallen. It’s still very mild in Cairns and perfect holiday weather.
Easter and the School Holidays saw Cairns almost totally booked out with domestic visitors.
Rain is forecast over the next few days. It will be much welcomed in Cairns has we’ve been short-changed this year by the weather gods : )
This photo catches a moment of afternoon sunlight striking the bush at the southern end of Trinity Beach.
26 April 2022
For four days and four nights Cairns received its wet season quota in one hit. The rainforest is green and smiling. Anzac Day ceremonies had rain “coming in sideways”.
No-one in Cairns is complaining however as everyone recognises how life-giving this beautiful water from the heavens is - for the soul and for the environment.
These rains arrived at the beginning of the “dry season”. The climate norms will have to rewritten. We’ve turned the seasons around.
Tuesday morning 26 April Cairns awakes to blue skies and a “chilly” 23 degrees.
Photo shows a band of rain rapidly crossing the Coral Sea and heading straight for the Trinity Beach headland.
9 May 2022
Early May has seen temperatures ease and both sunshine and rainfall plentiful.
It’s really a beautiful and comfortable time of year. Cooler nights and warm days.
There is a 90% chance of rain over the next few days in Cairns and Monday morning 9th of May is on cue.
The photo shows Ellis Beach late afternoon, between showers.
15 May 2022
Mid May and such an idyllic time in Cairns.
After being thoroughly drenched for a few days Cairns has reemerged into beautiful mild sunny days. Temperatures in the high twenties and overnights down to 22.
Stinger nets are still in place but the jelly fish will have departed now that the sea temperature has fallen.
Come to Cairns! It’s pristine.
26 May 2022
Cooler days and cooler nights!
Idyllic weather. More and more travellers are escaping colder weather in southern climes and coming to Cairns.
Daytime temperatures up to 29 degrees and nights now creeping down to 19 degrees!
04 June 2022
June brings to Cairns blue-sky and sunshine days, refreshing mornings and delightfully warm days.
Unsurprisingly, it also marks the beginning of the winter tourist season in Tropical North Queensland.
Photo: The beach at Taylor Point at the northern end of Trinity Beach.
11 June 2022
Locals in Cairns are “freezing” now with temperatures plummeting as low as 16 degrees!
Never mind that Brisbane is down to 6 degrees as a cold wave strikes Eastern Australia. Snow and frosts are features of the Australian landscape further south.
Photo: Ron McKauge walk at Trinity Beach.
19 June 2022
Rose petal and candle-light weather @ Trinity Beach.
Some nights are a little windy but mild temperatures overall, ranging from 20 to 25 degrees.
P&O’s Pacific Explorer cruise ship tied up at Cairns Trinity Wharf Cruise Liner Terminal, the first international cruise ship to dock in the city in over two years.
Photo: Romance @ Trinity Beach.
25 June 2022
Winter school holidays begin with blustery conditions and daily maximum in Cairns reaching only 25 degrees.
Despite the choppy sea at Palm Cove a few hardy souls still took to the ocean to enjoy the crashing waves.
Photo: Double Island rests on the Palm Cove jetty amid blustery conditions.
01 July 2022
Grey skies and misty mountains.
Rainy days, perfect for hanging out inside a cafe.
Photo: Kamerunga
14 July 2022
Early July’s rain days have given way to crisp sunny days in Cairns. Cooler nights and warm days.
Photo: Yorkeys Beach
24 July 2022
Visitors are flocking to both Cairns and Port Douglas to take advantage of beautiful winter sunshine and relative warmth. While Cairns locals find it “cold”, those arriving from Victoria and New South Wales feel themselves basking in the “tropical” warmth.
Temperature range: 18 degrees to 26 degrees.
Photo: Palm Cove
2 August 2022
Idyllic balmy days in Port Douglas, 21 overnight and 26 daytime. Some cloud cover keeping the sun’s intensity at bay. Sea temperature 23 degrees at Four Mile Beach. Port Douglas brimming with visitors, restaurants fully booked, beach-goers lapping up the winter’s warmth in the tropical north.
Photo: Cruise ship moored off shore, Rex Smeal Park, Port Douglas.
15 August 2022
Cairns fine and sunny with temperatures in the 18 to 28 degrees range.
An ideal time to visit Cairns. The sea is jelly-fish free at this time of year, unless advised by surf life saving warnings at the beaches.
Each of the popular beaches have blackboard signs advising of sea conditions, water temperature and any warnings.
Photo: Palm Cove
24 August 2022
It’s sunny and warm in Paradise. 28 degree days. Off shore breeze is warmer and the warmer days extend into the evenings.
It’s an ideal time to visit Cairns and the city is brimming with tourists, mainly domestic from the colder climes.
Photo: Palm Cove
28 August 2022
The weather gods decided that the grasses were drying out so they conjured up a rainy night and a rainy day to replenish all the lawns, rainforest and vegetation in the Cairns region.
Mild temperatures - really quite beautiful!
Photo: Esplanade in the rain, Cairns City.
7 September 2022
BEACH REPORT
Welcome to Four Mile Beach 7.9.22
Conditions: Partly cloudy Max 27°
Always swim between the red and yellow flags.
Supervise children at all times.
NO smoking, alcohol, dogs or drones allowed btw flags.
Dogs are prohibited on the northern end of the beach <—
Wind direction: SE
Water Temp: 24°
Patrol hours: 0900 - 1700
Photo: Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
10 September 2022
Warmer nights and warmer days!
The seasons seem to change quickly at this time of year. Increased humidity - 60% + nights around 21 or 22 degrees, daytime temps up to 30 degrees.
It’s an absolutely idyllic time to visit Cairns. The sea is warmer. There are no nets at the beaches meaning there is not yet any threat of jellyfish. People are freely enjoying all the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, playing.
At dusk people line the beachfront at Trinity Beach in excited anticipation of witnessing the rise of the full moon.
Photo: The moon glistens over the ocean at Trinity Beach - 10 Sep 2022.
26 September 2022
September is transition month in Cairns - winter to summer. Temperature range is now generally 22 to 32 degrees, above average for Cairns in September apparently.
Brilliant weather for swimming, jelly fish free. The ocean and the swimming pools are warm. It rained a couple of times during the month, often at night.
Photo: Visitors enjoying Palm Cove Beach
6 October 2022
La Niña No.3 is upon Australia. It’s not uncommon to have 3 La Niña years in a row. It does however mean a wetter spring and summer for Eastern Australia.
The clouds had been building up for a day or two and by the morning of Thursday 6th October Cairns received a light sprinkling.
Overnight minimums have crept up slightly so 22-23 degrees is about as cold as it gets.
Daytime max temps sit around 30°.
Photo: In October the sea is warm at Trinity Beach but the stringer nets have not yet needed to be installed.
12 October 2022
Could the rainy season be upon us? So early?
Wednesday 12th October 2022 - a mild, 24 degrees, beautiful, somewhat moist, morning in Cairns - great cafe weather!
Wednesday morning’s Cairns Post reports that a “Big Wet” is tipped for the Far North.
We will see. The 2021-2022 wet season is described as a hiatus. That it was. The prediction now is for the November to January period to enjoy “above average” rainfall.
The Coffee in Cairns Weather Diary will follow this prediction and see how it unfolds.
Photo: Idyllic beach conditions at Trinity Beach, Cairns.
20 October 2022
Increasing humidity and warmth. Rain forecast again for Cairns but very little came of it. In the meantime flooding events are happening in Victoria’s Echuca, Shepparton and other towns.
Today’s temperature range 23 to 31 degrees. Humidity 87%.
Stinger nets are being installed at Cairns Northern Beaches.
Photo: Caravonica, Cairns
27 October 2022
Warm days and nights. 33 degree maximums and 25 overnight.
One evening a storm threatened. Some dark clouds appeared on the horizon and a good heavy downpour lasted for about 15 minutes. That was it!
Photo: Trinity Beach
2 November 2022
November is Flowering Street Tree Month in Cairns. It’s also the beginning of the stinger net season.
Driving around Cairns there are bursts of red and yellow as the Poinciana and Cassia put on a show.
It’s been hot n hazy. Overnight minimum 26 degrees and days at 33 degrees, feeling like 36.
Photo: Moresby Street, Trinity Beach
11.11.22
Mild weather, 24 overnight, 30 daytime, 27 coffee time.
Stinger nets were installed at all beaches on 1st November.
Perfect travel weather. Perfect camping weather. Occasional showers here and there.
Photo: Etty Bay, Cassowary Coast
22.11.22
People are feeling the heat now with daytime temps up around 34 degrees. It’s still quite dry on the coast but rain has been falling around Atherton in the Tablelands.
Nighttime temps in Atherton are around 20 degrees whereas Cairns and the Cairns Northern Beaches don’t drop much below 26 overnight.
Photo: Machans Beach, Cairns
8 December 2022
The past few weeks have seen daily temperatures up to 34 degrees. Some days have been a little cooler, today for instance predicted to reach only 30 degrees at Palm Cove.
One storm came through. It was fairly short lived. Dumped a significant volume of rain on Cairns but quickly drained away and gave way to more idyllic days of sunshine.
Northern Australia and swathes of the continent due for a “heatwave” but Cairns is largely unaffected and has consistent tropical weather.
Photo: Manjal Dimbi, above the Mossman River. In the language of the Kuku Yalanji the mountain’s name means ‘mountain holding back’.
16 December 2022
A “pretend” storm at Trinity Beach - Suddenly the wind gusts, temperature drops, big billowing dark clouds fill the sky - then nothing!
This is nature playing tricks with us!
Rain would be nice but lately Trinity Beach has seen very little of it.
We’ve had a few days of TNQ’s little “heatwave” as reported in the weather forecast. It was hot (35 degrees) and oppressive. Ideal days for hiding in an air-conditioned Cairns cafe e.g. Envy, Mi Piace, The Chamber Room etc.
Photo: Trinity Beach - storm clouds gather for a short time then quickly dissipate!
31 December 2022
December 2022 was characterised by the beginning of Cairns’ traditional wet season.
Plentiful and refreshing rain fell for much of December ensuring a vitality to the rainforest and a greening of all vegetation.
Interspersed with rainy days were breakouts of sunshine and in general very pleasant temperatures in the 25 to 32 degrees range.
Photo: Green Island Ferry preparing for departure at Cairns Marina
04 January 2023
Sunny and rainy.
Minimum overnight 24 degrees. The day’s maximum 31 degrees.
Cairns is looking very green, having received a good drenching over the past few weeks.
It’s an ideal time for visiting the tropical north - warm days but pleasant.
Photo: The Barron River flood plain, Smithfield
12 January 2023
Overnight rain followed by a warm sunny day.
26 to 30 degrees.
Lawn mowing contractors have their work cut out for them, struggling to trim thick and luxuriant grass that taken over Cairns like triffids!
Photo: Palm Cove basking in sunshine during the infamous “wet season”.
22 January 2023
January 23 has been a beautiful month - weatherwise.
Plentiful precipitation interspersed with sunny breaks and sunny days; daytime temperature benign - often not much more than 30 degrees max.
Photo: misty mountains at Palm Cove.
5 February 2023
The rains returned in earnest today following a few sunny days.
Low cloud and mist is the predominant feature of the rainforested mountains that envelop Cairns.
Photo: Kamerunga
16 February 2023
Cyclone Gabrielle formed in the Coral Sea well offshore from Cairns but tracked across the Tasman Sea and whacked New Zealand’s North Island, causing floods, destruction and loss of life.
Cairns has experienced dry cloudy days with temps up to 32 and then some rainy days; a mixed bag. Mowing contractors are virtually hay making along the road sides, as they struggle to keep up with the luxuriant plant growth.
Photo: Yorkeys Knob obscured by misty rain (photo taken from Trinity Beach)
28 February 2023
February 2023 has been characterised by a mixed bag of “weathers” - from frequent rainy days, cloudy days, and sunny days. Temperatures relatively mild for summer - in the range 25 to 30 generally.
Rain has been more common overnight and sometimes during the day the grey clouds have built up and delivered afternoon rain.
February is a quieter month tourism-wise in Cairns. This means less pressure on accommodation. Some people in other regions perceive that it rains constantly in Cairns as it might appear on weather maps. The truth is that the rains are interspersed with sunshine and cloudy days.
Photo: Sunset clouds over Double Island offshore from Palm Cove. Photo captured from Trinity Beach.
6 March 2023
A few sunny days in Early March were followed by monsoonal rains. Overnight the heavy rain created some pop-up lakes and formed creeks where none had been before.
A little traffic chaos early morning as low-lying roads flooded.
The rain eased later in the day and floodwaters started to quickly drain. Mild daytime temperatures up to 27.
Photo: Ponding alongside Smithfield Bypass.
14 March 2023
Rains have eased making way for hot sunny days.
A mix of clouds and sun. High 31C. Winds easterly at 10 to 15 km/h.
Photo: Barron Falls & Kuranda Scenic Rail
Travel hint:
This late rainy season is an ideal time to enjoy the Barron Falls in flood. It’s an impressive waterfall after saturating rains have fed the Barron River.
Click on the Barron Falls image for more info.
23 March 2023
New lakes, impromptu rivers and waterfalls formed as morning rains drenched Cairns; by afternoon the sun was out and most of the surface water had found its way out to the Coral Sea.
Temperature range: 24 to 30 degrees Celsius
Photo: Trinity Beach in the evening sunlight
31 March 2023
The HOT season has arrived in Cairns.
As the monsoon rains have abated, the bright clear sunny days have brought with them hot days of 32 degrees Celsius that have a “feels like” temperature up to 36.
Photo: Taylor Point (Trinity Beach).
9 April 2023
Clear skies and sunshine. 24 to 31 degrees Celsius. Humidity making today’s high feel like 36°C
Easter and School Holidays; Cairns is a popular destination for “Southerners”. Storms, hail and colder weather in the southern climes.
Photo: The relaxed lifestyle at Palm Cove
25 April 2023
From mid-April it began to feel autumnal.
Minimum temps dropped by a couple of degrees (23°) and the days felt fresher and with less heat intensity.
Rains disappeared but returned again in the last week of April 2023.
Some days have been blustery and the sea choppy.
Photo: Golden fallen leaves on Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
5 May 2023
As the the Cairns “winter” encroaches, overnights plummet to 23° C (73° Fahrenheit)!
Daytime warmth in sunny days up to 30° C (86° F).
Occasional rain, but not much.
All told, absolutely perfect weather for humans!
Photo: 8 a.m. Palm Cove
13 May 2023
Eastern Australia “cold snap” brings chilly temperatures and stormy seas to southern climes; Cairns dropping to 19 degrees Celsius on some nights and daytimes barely 29 degrees.
Some rainy days, cloud cover and windy days.
Photo: An abandoned yacht broke its moorings on a stormy night and drifted around to Yorkeys Beach.
11 June 2023
22 degrees in the morning, warming up to 25. Sunny, some rain.
The air feels fresh. Cold for locals, warm and humid for visitors.
Sea a little choppy, but now low risk of jelly fish. Life guards on duty at most beaches, who are the best to give advice.
Photo: Kamerunga, flowering sugarcane field at dusk
18 June 2023
19 to 27. Rain overnight.
Cloudy and sunny.
Today is Cairns Ironman, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. Athletes ride from Cairns to Port Douglas and back along the beautiful coastal road, which is closed to vehicle traffic for the day.
Photo: Rainbow from Miami Road - new road linking Trinity Beach to Kewarra Beach
25 June 2023
21 to 28 degrees Celsius.
Benign weather in Cairns, cloudy and warm.
A perfect day for holidaying, relaxing, chilaxxing and coffeeing.
Today’s recommended cafe of of the day: Envy
Photo: Mission Beach, Cassowary Coast
01 July 2023
21 to 24 degrees Celsius.
Rainy, cold day in Cairns as unseasonal rain band spreads across northern Queensland.
Morning patches of sunshine but rain settled in later in the afternoon.
Photo: Trinity Beach 1st July 2023
12 July 2023
20 to 27 degrees Celsius.
Rainy July! Some wet days, yet 12th of July 23 is a brilliant sunny day. It’s the luck of the draw!
Sunbathing weather one minute, and slightly chilly the next.
Photo: Trinity Beach late arvo
19 July 2023
Winter paradise in Cairns, Palm Cove and Far North Queensland, Australia.
19th of July, 2023 is a mild, sunny day, with a temperature range from 20° Celsius to 28° Celsius (68 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit).
Slight offshore breeze.
The image shows the relaxing foreshore at Palm Cove on 28.07.23
29 July 2023
Rainy July 2023 has sprinkled over 100 mm of rain on Cairns to date this month.
The temperature range has been between 15 and 29 degrees Celsius. Overnight minimums generally not below 20.
Sea temperature has been around 23 - 24 degrees.
There have been some blustery days and choppy seas.
Sunbathing weather has been ideal for holidaymakers during sunny patches, the weather being quite variable this month.
Photo: Cattana Wetlands. Cattana is a developing wetland treasure in Smithfield. This is an ideal time to enjoy the wetland trails, as fewer mosquitos are present and the cooler days make for ideal walking conditions.
05 Aug 2023
Blustery. Not ideal beach weather. A cloudy day with some short-lived sunny patches. 19 to 24 degrees C.
Photo: Palms blowing in the strong winds at Trinity Beach, 5th August 2023.
14 Aug 2023
A cold morning (15 degrees C) followed by a brilliant, clear blue sky day (27 degrees C).
Photo: an afternoon at TB (Trinity Beach).
27 Aug 2023
An unpredictable late August. One minute we have beautiful sunny beach weather, then the next, rain and cold. 19°C to 26°C.
Photo: The jetty at Palm Cove, Double Island and Scout Hat.
04 Sep 2023
Perfection!
Beach weather up to 29°.
Nights can still be a little fresh - down to 18°.
Photo: all the fun in the sun @ Trinity Beach in the northern beaches of Cairns
17 Sep 2023
Quite windy; not the usual tropical climate that we are used to.
Temperatures have gradually warmed but the wind spoils the beach scene to a degree.
19 to 27 degrees. Increased humidity now.
Photo: Clifton Beach
28 Sep 2023
Warmer nights @ 21 degrees C. Cloudy warm days up to 29 degrees.
It’s a pleasant time to be in Cairns and at the beaches. Low stinger risk at beaches, which are monitored and patrolled by professional life guards.
Photo: Saltwater Lake @ Cairns Botanic Gardens
9 Oct 2023
Changeable weather in Cairns. Some beautiful sunny beach-weather days, albeit at times windy. Overnight rain. Humidity noticeably higher.
Temperatures 20 to 30.
Photo: The Tanks - Cairns Botanic Gardens. The Tanks held fuel oil during World War II. Some of the tanks have been recycled into an art gallery and music venue.
13 Oct 2023
Beautiful weather, with the day’s temperature up around 30 degrees. Perfect beach weather. The wind from the last few days has died down and is now a welcome breeze on a hot day at the beach. Humidity 46% and the wind around 20 km/h.
This image shows a clear blue sky at Palm Cove, taken at the southern end of the beach, with Double Island straddling the horizon, in the distance.
22 Oct 2023
October has seen the days get hotter (30) - noticeably. Mornings may start off a little fresh (19) but by 9am the temperatures have quickly climbed into the high twenties.
It’s an absolutely delightful time to visit Cairns, Port Douglas, or the wider region.
The seas have not yet seen the arrival of the more dangerous jellyfish species. At Ellis beach. washed-up blubber jellyfish (Catostylus mosaicus) are visible on the sands, but these jellies are not considered dangerous. In November, stinger nets will be installled at the beaches.
Photo: Port Douglas harbour on a warm October day.
7 Nov 2023
Cloudy skies over Cairns portend the coming monsoonal rains, yet could still be a month away before the heavens open up.
Pleasant, yet warm, days and nights, ranging from 22° overnight to 30° days.
Photo: Cloudy skies over Cairns City tidal mudflats 7th November
21 Nov 2023
The first of the rains arrived this morning - all 10 minutes of it!
It’s been cloudy for the rest of the day; only 28° C (82° F) but “feels like” 33° C (91° F) due to the increased humidity (75%).
November has generally been warm, sunny and pleasant. Most notably it’s now flowering tree season; Cairns streets are adorned in trees with impressive displays of red, and yellow.
Photo: Full bloom - Upward Street, Cairns
01 Dec 2023
The first day of summer in Tropical North Queensland, and as might be expected, it’s typically hot with a daytime maximum up to 32° C and a feels like of 38° C.
Very little rain fell in November. Mostly it has been either cloudy or sunny. Grasses have dried out. It’s aircon time and indoors time now, until the evenings at least.
Photo: Palm Cove mid morning 1st Dec 2023
11 Dec 2023
Much talk is of the lurking cyclone Jaspy, just off shore. Quite hard to believe that Cairns might be in the firing line.
Sea a bit choppy and a good breeze, but otherwise warm, sunny and cloudy. Daytime temps have been up to 34° C.
Photo: The jetty at Palm Cove appears to create a bridge to Double Island.
19 Dec 2023
Cyclone Jasper crossed over Far North Queensland, moving slowly and dumping a lot of rain. Areas that flooded included Wujul Wujul, Daintree, Mossman, Yorkeys, Holloways and Machans. The highways into Cairns and Port Douglas closed due to flooding and slips.
The rain lasted for about a week. Strong winds took out a few trees but the volume of rain was the most damaging. By Tuesday 19th December, the sun was out, blue sky appeared again and the rivers started to drop. New lakes popped up in the Barron River flood plain.
Photo: High Tide @ Trinity Beach, Wednesday 13 December 2023, during Cyclone Jasper.
26 Dec 2023
The skies cleared after Jasper and brought with it days of hot, sunny weather.
Crowds flocked to the Cairns Lagoon on Christmas Day and Jasper’s fury became a distant memory.
Cairns quickly regained its composure following a one-in-a-hundred-year rain event, which dumped metres of rain in some areas.
Sadly, homes were flooded in Machans, Holloways, Yorkeys and Caravonica. Further north, Ellis, Port Douglas, the Daintree and remote communities such as Wugul Wugul were badly affected by the floods and disruption to power and water.
Photo: Cairns Lagoon, Christmas Day 2023
4 Jan 2024
Hot days and sunshine have characterised the Cairns weather over the past week. Nighttime lows are around 25° C and the days’ highs up to 34° C (feels like 39° C).
The beach stinger nets that were removed pre Cyclone Jasper have been reinstalled; however an abundant presence of Irukandji jellyfish are keeping the Cairns beaches off limits for swimming.
Wild weather, including tornadoes and floods, have affected the Gold Coast, and now heavy rains are causing flooding in Victoria.
Photo: Cairns Waterfront on Trinity Inlet - 3 Jan 2024
7 Jan 2024
Hot. No sign of rain.
25 to 33. Humid.
Rain predicted.
Photo: the salt marsh at the Jack Barnes Mangrove Boardwalk, near Cairns Airport
21 Jan 2024
Variable weather patterns with substantial rainfall. Cloudy days with temperatures ranging from 26 to 32. Humid.
The “rainy season” has begun in earnest. It’s a good time now for viewing waterfalls.
Photo: Sugar cane fields viewed from Yorkeys Knob Rd. The peak of Earl Hill in the background.
30 Jan 2024
The last week of January in Cairns is characterised by sunny and hot days. “Feels like” temperatures, which account for the humidity, are up to 40 ° C. Overnight temps around 27 ° C.
Vegetation is still lush from the copious rainfall during the month.
Air conditioning in homes is a vital component for comfort in this hot season.
04 Feb 2024
Port Douglas on a beautiful day.
Fine weather with a maximum temperature of 33° C and overnight minimum of 26° C.
A day time feels like of 41° C with high humidity.
Many people swimming at Four Mile Beach within the stinger nets. Water temperature 30° C.
Light visitor numbers in Port Douglas due to “low season”; some visitors cancelled their trips to Port over concerns with rain, cyclones and water restrictions.
Sunday market a highlight of visiting Port Douglas on Sundays!
28 Feb 2024
“heat wave” conditions earlier in February gave way to “normal” temperatures around 32 degrees max.
Overnights are about 26° C
Cloudy and partly cloudy days. A mix of rain and sunshine Cairns.
Humidity today is 87%.
3 Mar 2024
A cloudy day on the Atherton Tablelands. Showers and sunshine interspersed.
At a higher elevation, the Tablelands are some 4 degrees cooler at this time of year, compared with the coastal regions around Cairns.
Temperature range: 21° C to 27° C. Beautiful weather!
Photo: Curtain Fig Tree Rd, Yungaburra
14 Mar 2024
A beautiful clear sky day, temp up to 32 daytime and 22 overnight
Rainy days earlier in the month, some days cloudy, some days early morning rain giving way to sunny days.
Photo: Blue sky @ Trinity Beach, late afternoon
20 Mar 2024
Rainy.
Quite heavy rain through the night. Rivers are up. Thomatis Creek and Barron quite full, although not over the road, as happened following Jasper in December.
Lighter rain by morning. Coffee time temperature 25° C.
The sun trying to poke through.
Photo: Cairns waterfront & cruise ship terminal 20 March 2024
1 Apr 2024
Beach weather - daytime temps around 28 to 29 degrees Celsius.
A brief shower in the morning followed by a warm, beautiful day.
Partly cloudy. Nighttime a pleasant 23 / 24 degrees
Photo: Trinity Beach, swimming within the stinger nets.
15 Apr 2024
Mid April and a definite change of season.
Quite suddenly there was a freshness in the air - in the evenings and early morning but the days still hot. Some nights down to low 20’s.
Sunny days and overcast days.
Photo: Yorkeys Beach - such a beautiful long vastness of sandy beach stretching to a newly formed inlet north of Holloways Beach.
4 May 2024
It’s cooler now, compared with a month ago.
Sunny, but cooler morning, down to 22 degrees.
The day’s high 29 degrees.
An afternoon passing shower.
Photo: Palm Cove morning walks, after the rain.
13 May 2024
Early May presented mild days with misty and rainy mornings, breaking out into sunny afternoons.
Temp range 22 to 29. Very pleasant temperatures.
May 13th sunny with sign of rain.
Photo: Holloways Beach, looking north, towards Yorkeys