Cairns in April
What to expect
In Cairns, April sits in mid-autumn, a shoulder-season month where the feel can shift as the season turns. Most days feel warm without being relentless, and relatively steady temperatures through the day. Daylight is moderate, so steady pacing works well. Comfort is usually predictable, so a standard day plan works well.
April in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Cairns.
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 11.7 h
- UV index (max)
- 9
- Typical sun hours
- 06:24 - 18:07
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 19 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 60%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 80%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for April. Typical high 27.1°C and low 23.3°C.
Typical disruptions in April
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in April.
Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 78% of days (23.3 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
23.3 days / month
~78% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 23.3 days / month
- Probability ~78% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24°C (P95)
Muggy conditions are possible on ~23 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 24% of days (7.1 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.1 days / month
~24% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.1 days / month
- Probability ~24% of days
- Intensity Up to ~38°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~7 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 16% of days (4.8 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.8 days / month
~16% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.8 days / month
- Probability ~16% of days
- Intensity Up to ~90mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 16% of days (4.7 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.7 days / month
~16% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.7 days / month
- Probability ~16% of days
- Intensity Up to ~90mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 9% of days (2.6 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.6 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.6 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~71km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 7% of days (2.1 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.1 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.1 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~39°C (P95)
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Show all disruptions (24 more)
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 8% of days (2.4 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.4 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.4 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~129mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 1.2 days/month in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.2 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.2 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~160mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~179mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.9 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.9 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~70km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~222mm (P95)
Extreme rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 7% of days (2.1 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.1 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.1 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~39°C (P95)
Heat stress is possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 97% of days (29.2 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
29.2 days / month
~97% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 29.2 days / month
- Probability ~97% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~29 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 78% of days (23.3 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
23.3 days / month
~78% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 23.3 days / month
- Probability ~78% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24°C (P95)
Warm nights are possible on ~23 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 73% of days (21.8 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
21.8 days / month
~73% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 21.8 days / month
- Probability ~73% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~22 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 67% of days (20.0 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
20.0 days / month
~67% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 20.0 days / month
- Probability ~67% of days
- Intensity Up to ~93% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~20 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 64% of days (19.2 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.2 days / month
~64% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.2 days / month
- Probability ~64% of days
- Intensity Up to ~65km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~19 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 62% of days (18.5 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.5 days / month
~62% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.5 days / month
- Probability ~62% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~18 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 51% of days (15.2 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.2 days / month
~51% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.2 days / month
- Probability ~51% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~15 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 48% of days (14.4 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.4 days / month
~48% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.4 days / month
- Probability ~48% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~14 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 29% of days (8.6 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.6 days / month
~29% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.6 days / month
- Probability ~29% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~9 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 16% of days (4.8 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.8 days / month
~16% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.8 days / month
- Probability ~16% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~5 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 10% of days (2.9 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.9 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.9 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Oppressive humidity Measures: Oppressive humidity days (dew point >=24C). Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24°C (P95)
Oppressive humidity is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 0.7 days/month in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.7 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.7 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~37°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Hot nights Measures: Hot nights (min >=25C). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25°C (P95)
Hot nights are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.2 days/month in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~31°C (P95)
Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Frequently asked questions
Is April a good time to visit Cairns?
Typical April days in Cairns reach highs of 27°C (81°F) with nights around 23°C (73°F). It usually feels warm by day and warm after dark. Overall, April sits in the middle of the Cairns climate range.
What are temperatures like in April?
In April, you can usually expect highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows near 23°C (73°F). That means warm days and warm nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in April?
Rainfall in April averages 146 mm (5.7 in) across roughly 19 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in April?
You can expect about 12 hours of daylight in April. Sunrise is typically around 06:24 and sunset near 18:07. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.
How strong is the sun in April?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 9), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in April?
In April, average wind speeds are around 14 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 72 km/h (45 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.