Cairns Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. These values are calculated using 30 years of data (1990–2020) to ensure accuracy. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.
Cairns is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1334 mm (53 in). While the overall climate is wet, there are notable seasonal patterns that create interesting contrasts, as demonstrated in our graph below.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
The seasons in Cairns, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, February, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 292 mm (11 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 14 rainy days.
In contrast, the driest month, September, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 23 mm (0.9 in) over 4 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.February, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 29°C (84°F). The city receives 171 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month September you can expect a temperature of 25°C (77°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Cairns Temperature page.
Daily Historical Precipitation
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in July
Explore Cairns's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Cairns spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Australia: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Australia. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Cairns vs World: Rainfall Compared
Cairns's average annual precipitation is 1334 mm (53 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 620 mm (24 in), evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.
In Seoul, South Korea, the average annual precipitation is 1237 mm (49 in), with most rain falling during the summer monsoon season.
Adelaide, Australia, enjoys 511 mm (20 in) of annual precipitation, with dry summers and wet winters.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm (77 in) of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.
Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.
Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.
- "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
- The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 20 cm (7.9 inches) thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
- The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA—over 31.5 meters (103 feet) fell during the winter of 1972.
For more detailed information about Cairns's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Cairns Climate page.
