Cairns Temperature by Month

The average annual maximum temperature in Cairns, Queensland, Australia is 27°C (81°F), with little variation between seasons. This page covers monthly averages, day-night differences, and how Cairns compares to cities worldwide.

The climate in Cairns remains fairly constant, offering comfortable temperatures throughout the year. Maximum daytime temperatures reach a comfortable 29°C (84°F) in February, dropping to a comfortable 23°C (73°F) in July. Nighttime lows stay between 25°C (77°F) and 18°C (64°F).

The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Cairns by month:

Temperatures tend to bottom out between 4 AM and 6 AM, then climb to their daily peak around 3 PM. February, the warmest month, sees 171 hours of sunshine.

The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:

Cairns's average annual maximum temperature is 27°C (81°F). To put that in context, here's how it compares to a few well-known destinations:

Lisbon, Portugal averages 21°C (70°F) annually, warm summers, mild winters, and rain mainly in the cooler months.

Interlaken, Switzerland averages 8°C (46°F) a year, with cold winters and cool summers thanks to its Alpine setting.

Osaka, Japan averages 22°C (72°F) annually, with hot humid summers, mild winters, and pleasant spring and autumn seasons.

Melbourne, Australia averages 20°C (68°F) annually, known for unpredictable weather, with four seasons sometimes happening in one day.

Temperature alone doesn't tell the whole story, humidity plays a big role in how warm or cold it actually feels. High humidity in summer makes the heat feel more intense, particularly once temperatures climb above 25°C. In winter, the same humidity can make cold air feel sharper than the thermometer suggests.

In Cairns, July is the coolest month, with average highs of 23°C (73°F) and humidity around 57%, considered moderate. In February, the warmest month, temperatures average 29°C (84°F) with 72% humidity, conditions that feel high. For a full picture, see our humidity page.

Climate temperature data is typically calculated as a 30-year average. This smooths out year-to-year variability and gives a more reliable picture of what a place is actually like, rather than what happened in any single unusual year.

The readings come from a range of sources, land-based weather stations, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. That data is collected by weather services around the world, then pooled, quality-checked, and averaged to produce the climate records you see here.

Global average temperatures have risen by around 1.2°C since the pre-industrial era, and the effects are visible across many regions. Winters are milder on average, with fewer frost days and less snow in many parts of the world. Heatwaves are more frequent and more intense, and Europe's summers of 2018, 2019, and 2020 all set records.

Summers are also getting drier in some areas, while winter rainfall has increased in others. This contributies to higher river levels and more flooding. In many countries, spring arrives earlier and autumn lasts longer. It has knock-on effects for wildlife, agriculture, and local ecosystems.

For more on Cairns's weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity, visit our Cairns climate page.