Last updated: February 26, 2025
Experience the vibrant climate of Cairns, Australia in January, where maximum temperatures soar to a sweltering 33°C (92°F), while the average temperature remains a comfortable 26°C (78°F). The tropical atmosphere brings a minimum temperature of 21°C (70°F), perfect for evening strolls. However, prepare for the rainy season, as rainfall accumulates to 400 mm (15.7 in) over 21 days, contributing to a high humidity level of 79%. Embrace the lush landscapes and vibrant ecosystems that thrive in this warm and wet environment!
In January, Cairns embraces the height of summer, showcasing its tropical charm with temperatures ranging from a cozy 21°C (70°F) at night, soaring to a steamy 33°C (92°F) during the day, averaging around 26°C (78°F). This pattern of warm days and pleasant evenings sets the stage for the months that follow. As February approaches, temperatures shift slightly, reaching a peak of 35°C (95°F), while nights cool down to around 18°C (65°F). March mirrors January's warmth, maintaining an average of 25°C (78°F), but with a notable increase in nighttime temperatures again hitting 21°C (69°F). As the year progresses into April and beyond, the climate transitions subtly. April sees a slight dip in both maximum and average temperatures, comfortably settling into the mid-20s, while by May, the cooler nights signal the onset of the dry season. Overall, Cairns' January warmth lays the foundation for a laid-back summer vibe, setting the tone for seasonal changes as the year unfolds.
In Cairns, Australia, January marks the peak of the wet season, receiving a substantial 400 mm (15.7 in) of precipitation over 21 days. This sets the stage for a lush and vibrant landscape, as the region experiences the highest rainfall of the year. The downpours in January are significantly more intense than the subsequent months, such as February and March, which see a steep decline in precipitation to 287 mm (11.3 in) and 289 mm (11.4 in), respectively. This trend of diminishing rainfall continues dramatically through the dry months, with May experiencing just 51 mm (2.0 in). Such fluctuations highlight the stark contrast between Cairns' wet and dry seasons, making January a critical time for the local ecosystem while also setting a refreshing backdrop for visitors eager to explore the tropics.
In January, Cairns experiences a high humidity level of 79%, setting the stage for the warm, tropical climate that defines this region. As the month progresses into February, humidity rises slightly to 81%, and continues to increase, peaking at 83% in March. This uptick in moisture signals a truly immersive tropical experience for visitors. Following this peak, humidity begins a gradual decline, dipping to 80% in April and stabilizing around 78% in both May and June. The subsequent months bring a steady decrease, reaching a low of 71% in July, before gently rising again. By the end of the year, humidity returns to a more moderate range, with December finishing at 75%. Overall, the trend reveals a humid tropical climate with a notable peak during the early months of the year, perfect for those seeking the allure of Cairns' balmy weather.
In Cairns, Australia, January experiences a staggering UV Index of 16, classified as extreme, with a dangerously short burn time of just 10 minutes. This trend of high UV exposure continues through February, mirroring January's intensity, before slightly tapering off to 15 in March. However, even as we transition into April, the UV Index remains formidable at 13, underscoring the region's persistent sun exposure. As we move into the cooler months, the UV levels begin to decline, but still retain a very high category, particularly from May to July, where burn times increase to 15 minutes. The cycle resumes with another spike in the UV Index, reaching back to 16 by December. This data highlights the importance of sun safety strategies year-round in Cairns, especially during these intense summer months. For more detailed information, visit Cairns UV Index.
UV Risk Categories
In Cairns, Australia, January sets the stage for a vibrant summer, racking up an impressive 228 hours of sunshine. As summer unfolds, the sun's presence intensifies, peaking in October with a delightful 321 hours, making it one of the sunniest months. Following this trend, November and December also bask in abundant sunshine, each boasting 324 hours. The year then shows a gradual decline in daylight hours through the cooler months, with February and March offering 260 and 280 hours, respectively, maintaining a generous glow before the peak. While the year fluctuates between sunlit highs and lows, it’s clear that Cairns enjoys a brilliant sun-kissed climate, especially in the latter half of the year, inviting both locals and visitors to revel in its radiant beauty.
In Cairns, Australia, the likelihood of sunny weather in January stands at just 11%, making it one of the gloomiest months for sun-seekers. This trend shifts noticeably in the following months, with February seeing a slight increase to 16%. However, as the seasons transition into autumn, the chances for sunshine really begin to flourish, peaking at 34% in both March and April. By May, the sun shines down more reliably, with a 57% chance, indicating a clear upward trend leading into the drier winter months. June and July sustain this sunny momentum, boasting 39% and 51%, respectively, before the average nudges back down slightly in late winter and early spring. Overall, visitors can anticipate a significant rise in sunlit days as the year progresses from January, making later months vastly more appealing for enjoying the tropical charms of Cairns.
In Cairns, Australia, January shines bright with an average of 13 hours of daylight, making it the peak of summer and perfect for outdoor activities. As the months progress into February and March, daylight remains generous at 12 hours, maintaining a vibrant atmosphere. However, from April to August, daylight slightly dwindles to a consistent 11 hours, signaling the transition towards winter. As spring approaches in September, daylight duration begins to climb back, reaching 12 hours in October and November. Finally, December swings back to 13 hours, wrapping up the year with a return to summer's brightness. This rhythmic cycle of daylight not only influences the local climate but also enriches the outdoor lifestyle that Cairns is known for.
In Cairns, Australia, January experiences a gentle breeze with an average wind speed of 3.1 m/s (7 mph), setting the tone for a month that feels both refreshing and invigorating. As the year progresses, a subtle upward trend in wind speed is observed, peaking in September at 4.3 m/s (10 mph), which brings a lively energy to the coastal environment. This is followed by a moderate decline towards the end of the year, with February and October registering the calmest conditions at 2.4 m/s (5 mph). Overall, the wind patterns suggest a vibrant rhythm in Cairns' weather, where the breezy January serves as a prelude to the more robust gusts of late winter and early spring.
The weather in Cairns changes throughout the year, offering a unique experience in each season. Below is a month-by-month comparison of January's weather with other months, highlighting differences in temperature, precipitation, and other key factors. Click on each section to discover seasonal trends in Cairns and find detailed weather information for every month.
January and February exhibit similar weather patterns, but there are notable differences. In January, temperatures range from a minimum of 21°C (70°F) to a maximum of 33°C (92°F), with an average of 26°C (78°F). In contrast, February sees slightly lower minimum temperatures at 18°C (65°F) while reaching a higher maximum of 35°C (95°F) and maintaining the same average of 26°C (79°F). Precipitation levels decrease from 400 mm (15.7 in) in January to 287 mm (11.3 in) in February, although both months experience rainfall on 21 days. Humidity remains relatively high, with January at 79% and February slightly higher at 81%. For a more detailed look at February weather specifics, visit Cairns weather in February.
In January, the weather is characterized by warm temperatures, with a minimum of 21°C (70°F) and an average of 26°C (78°F), peaking at a maximum of 33°C (92°F). However, it also brings considerable rainfall with 400 mm (15.7 in) spread over 21 days and an average humidity level of 79%. In contrast, March experiences slightly cooler average temperatures at 25°C (78°F) while maintaining similar minimum and maximum temperatures. Precipitation decreases to 289 mm (11.4 in) over 24 days, accompanied by a higher humidity of 83%. For more detailed information, you can check Cairns weather in March.
In January, the weather is characterized by warmer temperatures, with a minimum of 21°C (70°F) and an average high of 33°C (92°F). The month experiences significant rainfall, averaging 400 mm (15.7 in) over 21 days, resulting in high humidity levels at 79%. In contrast, April sees slightly cooler temperatures, with a minimum of 17°C (63°F) and an average high of 31°C (88°F). The total precipitation decreases, with 163 mm (6.4 in) recorded over 15 days, while humidity remains similar at 80%. For more details, visit Cairns weather in April.
In January, the weather is notably warmer and more humid, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 21°C (70°F) to a maximum of 33°C (92°F), and an average of 26°C (78°F). The month experiences significant rainfall, with 400 mm (15.7 in) of precipitation spread across 21 days, resulting in a high humidity level of 79%. In contrast, May sees cooler temperatures, with a minimum of 13°C (56°F) and a maximum of 27°C (81°F), averaging 22°C (72°F). Rainfall is considerably less during May, totaling only 51 mm (2.0 in) over 13 days, while the humidity remains relatively stable at 78%. For more details on the weather during this month, you can refer to Cairns weather in May.
In January, temperatures in Cairns are significantly warmer, with a minimum of 21°C (70°F) and an average high of 33°C (92°F). This month also experiences heavy rainfall, totaling 400 mm (15.7 in) over 21 days, combined with high humidity levels of 79%. In contrast, June offers a cooler climate, featuring a minimum temperature of 13°C (56°F) and an average high of 27°C (80°F). Rainfall drops dramatically to 37 mm (1.5 in) over just 11 days, with humidity slightly lower at 78%. For more details on June weather, visit Cairns weather in June.
January and July exhibit contrasting weather patterns. In January, temperatures reach a minimum of 21°C (70°F) and can soar to a maximum of 33°C (92°F), with an average of 26°C (78°F). This month is characterized by high humidity at 79% and substantial rainfall, with 400 mm (15.7 in) spread over 21 days. In contrast, July presents a cooler climate, with a minimum temperature of 14°C (57°F) and a maximum of only 26°C (79°F), averaging 20°C (68°F). The month sees significantly less rainfall, totaling just 33 mm (1.3 in) on 7 days and a slightly lower humidity level of 71%. For a detailed look at the weather conditions in July, you can visit Cairns weather in July.
In January, the weather is considerably warmer, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 21°C (70°F) to a maximum of 33°C (92°F) and an average of 26°C (78°F). The month also sees high levels of precipitation, with about 400 mm (15.7 in) of rain falling over 21 days, which contributes to a humidity level of 79%. In contrast, August presents a much cooler climate, featuring temperatures that range from 13°C (56°F) to 29°C (84°F), with an average of 20°C (68°F). This month experiences significantly less rainfall, with only 19 mm (0.7 in) over just 4 days, resulting in a humidity level of 75%. For a closer look at the weather specifics in August, you can visit Cairns weather in August.
In January, the weather is notably warmer, with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 21°C (70°F) to a maximum of 33°C (92°F). This month experiences considerable rainfall, with around 400 mm (15.7 in) spread over 21 days, resulting in high humidity levels of 79%. In contrast, September offers a much cooler climate, with temperatures typically between 14°C (57°F) and 27°C (80°F). Rainfall diminishes significantly, resulting in just 21 mm (0.8 in) over 5 days, and a lower humidity of 72%. For more details on the September weather, you can check out Cairns weather in September.
In January, the weather is notably warmer and more humid, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 21°C (70°F) to a maximum of 33°C (92°F) and an average of 26°C (78°F). This month also sees significant rainfall, with about 400 mm (15.7 in) of precipitation over 21 days, resulting in a humidity level of 79%. In contrast, October experiences milder conditions, with temperature fluctuations from a minimum of 15°C (59°F) to a maximum of 29°C (84°F) and an average of 23°C (74°F). The precipitation drastically drops to just 35 mm (1.4 in) over 5 days, and humidity decreases to 73%. For more details on October's climate, you can check out Cairns weather in October.
When comparing the weather between January and November, January tends to be warmer with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 21°C (70°F) to a maximum of 33°C (92°F), while November's temperatures are slightly cooler, with a minimum of 19°C (66°F) and a maximum of 34°C (94°F). Additionally, January experiences significantly more rainfall, with 400 mm (15.7 in) over 21 days, compared to November's lighter precipitation of just 38 mm (1.5 in) over 11 days. Humidity levels are also slightly higher in January at 79%, compared to November's 74%. For more details, check out Cairns weather in November.
In January, the weather remains consistent with December, featuring a minimum temperature of 21°C (70°F) and an average of 26°C (78°F), peaking at 33°C (92°F). However, the precipitation increases significantly in January, with 400 mm (15.7 in) spread over 21 days, compared to December's 166 mm (6.5 in) over 15 days. This results in higher humidity in January at 79%, compared to December's 75%. Overall, while both months share similar temperature ranges, January is notably wetter and more humid. For more details on December conditions, check out Cairns weather in December.
January in Cairns is characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity, making it one of the hottest months of the year. While the city's tropical climate ensures generally mild conditions year-round, January stands out due to its significant rainfall, with frequent downpours that contribute to a lush, vibrant landscape. The average temperature is notably higher than in the cooler months, where minimums rarely drop below a comfortable level. This combination of warmth and moisture creates a unique atmosphere that is distinctly different from other months. For a deeper dive into what to expect throughout the year, check out Cairns Climate.