Cairns in February
What to expect
Cairns is in late summer during February, with the season well established by this point. Afternoons often feel hot in direct sun, with a fairly even feel across the day. You get a comfortable daylight window for day trips and sightseeing. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple.
February 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
- 12.6 h
- UV index (max)
- 10
- Typical sun hours
- 06:10 - 18:49
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 23 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 74%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 83%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for February. Typical high 29.3°C and low 24.6°C.
Typical disruptions in February
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in February.
Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 100% of days (28.2 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
28.2 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 28.2 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25°C (P95)
Muggy conditions are possible on ~28 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 87% of days (24.5 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
24.5 days / month
~87% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 24.5 days / month
- Probability ~87% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~25 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 53% of days (14.9 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.9 days / month
~53% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.9 days / month
- Probability ~53% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41°C (P95)
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~15 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 53% of days (14.9 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.9 days / month
~53% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.9 days / month
- Probability ~53% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41°C (P95)
Heat stress is possible on ~15 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Oppressive humidity Measures: Oppressive humidity days (dew point >=24C). Observed about 48% of days (13.5 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.5 days / month
~48% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.5 days / month
- Probability ~48% of days
- Intensity Up to ~26°C (P95)
Oppressive humidity is possible on ~13 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 43% of days (12.2 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.2 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.2 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~57mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~12 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (25 more)
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 41% of days (11.6 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.6 days / month
~41% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.6 days / month
- Probability ~41% of days
- Intensity Up to ~57mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~12 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 35% of days (9.9 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.9 days / month
~35% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.9 days / month
- Probability ~35% of days
- Intensity Up to ~35°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~10 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 26% of days (7.4 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.4 days / month
~26% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.4 days / month
- Probability ~26% of days
- Intensity Up to ~67mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 20% of days (5.5 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.5 days / month
~20% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.5 days / month
- Probability ~20% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 10% of days (2.9 days/month) in February. 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 ~94mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~3 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 2.6 days/month in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.6 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.6 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~57mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~3 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 5% of days (1.3 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.3 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.3 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98km/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 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in February. 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 ~208mm (P95)
Extreme rain is possible on ~1 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 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in February. 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 ~118km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Very hot days Measures: Very hot days (>=35C). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~39°C (P95)
Very hot days are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 1.7 days/month in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.7 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.7 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~40°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 1.4 days/month in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.4 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.4 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~34°C (P95)
Heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 100% of days (28.3 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
28.3 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 28.3 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~28 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 99% of days (28.0 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
28.0 days / month
~99% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 28.0 days / month
- Probability ~99% of days
- Intensity Up to ~26°C (P95)
Warm nights are possible on ~28 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 89% of days (25.3 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.3 days / month
~89% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.3 days / month
- Probability ~89% of days
- Intensity Up to ~42mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~25 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 83% of days (23.4 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
23.4 days / month
~83% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 23.4 days / month
- Probability ~83% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~23 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 80% of days (22.7 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.7 days / month
~80% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.7 days / month
- Probability ~80% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~23 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 71% of days (20.2 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
20.2 days / month
~71% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 20.2 days / month
- Probability ~71% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~20 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 67% of days (19.1 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.1 days / month
~67% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.1 days / month
- Probability ~67% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~19 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 53% of days (15.1 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.1 days / month
~53% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.1 days / month
- Probability ~53% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~15 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 43% of days (12.2 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.2 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.2 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 32% of days (9.1 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.1 days / month
~32% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.1 days / month
- Probability ~32% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~9 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 31% of days (8.8 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.8 days / month
~31% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.8 days / month
- Probability ~31% of days
- Intensity Up to ~64km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~9 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Hot nights Measures: Hot nights (min >=25C). Observed about 31% of days (8.7 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.7 days / month
~31% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.7 days / month
- Probability ~31% of days
- Intensity Up to ~27°C (P95)
Hot nights are possible on ~9 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
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 20% of days (5.5 days/month) in February. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.5 days / month
~20% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.5 days / month
- Probability ~20% 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 ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Frequently asked questions
Is February a good time to visit Cairns?
Typical February days in Cairns reach highs of 29°C (84°F) with nights around 25°C (77°F). It usually feels hot by day and warm after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.
What are temperatures like in February?
Daytime temperatures in February typically peak near 29°C (84°F), while nights drop to around 25°C (77°F). Expect hot afternoons and warm evenings.
How much does it rain in February?
Rainfall in February averages 270 mm (10.6 in) across roughly 23 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 February?
You can expect about 13 hours of daylight in February. Sunrise is typically around 06:10 and sunset near 18:49. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.
How strong is the sun in February?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 10), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in February?
In February, average wind speeds are around 10 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 59 km/h (37 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.