If you’re planning a trip to the River City, you’ve probably heard it’s "beautiful one day, perfect the next." That’s the official tourism slogan, anyway. Honestly? It’s mostly true, but there’s a bit more nuance to it than that. Brisbane doesn't really do the four-season thing in the way London or New York does. We basically have a "long, sweaty summer" and a "glorious, blue-sky winter" with some confusing bits in between.
Understanding Brisbane weather by month is less about checking if you need a heavy coat (you don't) and more about knowing when the humidity will make you want to live inside your fridge.
The sweltering peak: January and February
January is a bit of a beast. It’s the hottest month, with average maximums hitting around 29.1°C (84°F), though it’s the humidity that really gets you. Most days, the relative humidity sits around 67% to 73%. You’ll walk outside at 8:00 AM and feel like you’ve already had a shower.
Then there’s the rain. February is statistically the wettest month, averaging about 172mm. This isn't usually a drizzly, grey-all-day kind of rain. It’s more like the sky decides to open up for 40 minutes of absolute chaos, complete with a spectacular thunderstorm, and then the sun comes back out to steam everything dry.
- Pro tip: If you're here in Jan or Feb, do your walking before 9:00 AM.
- What to pack: Light linen, a hat, and an umbrella you don't mind losing to a gust of wind.
The big cool down: March, April, and May
March is basically "Summer Lite." It’s still warm (avg max 28.1°C), and the cyclone season technically runs until the end of April, so you might still see some heavy rain. But by the time April hits, something magical happens. The humidity drops. The nights get a little crisper.
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May is, quite frankly, one of the best times to be here. The average high is a comfortable 23.5°C (74°F), and the rainfall starts to taper off significantly. It’s that sweet spot where you can sit at an outdoor cafe at South Bank without needing a fan pointed directly at your face.
Why Brisbane weather by month peaks in winter
If you ask a local, they’ll tell you June, July, and August are why we live here. While the rest of Australia’s southern states are shivering in grey drizzle, Brisbane is basking in sunshine.
July is the coolest month, with a mean temperature of about 15°C (59°F), but the daytime highs still hover around 21°C. It’s basically "light sweater weather." The sky is almost always a piercing, cloudless blue. In fact, August is the driest month of the year, seeing only about 43mm of rain on average.
You’ll see people from Melbourne or Sydney walking around in t-shirts while the locals are bundled up in North Face puffer jackets because we think 12°C is freezing. We’re soft like that.
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A note on the Ekka wind: In August, there’s a specific phenomenon called the "Ekka winds." It’s a chilly westerly breeze that always seems to arrive exactly when the Royal Queensland Show (the Ekka) starts. It’s nature’s way of telling you winter is almost over.
Spring fever: September, October, and November
September is gorgeous. It’s dry, the jacaranda trees start turning the city purple, and the average max is a perfect 23.8°C. It's the least humid month (around 43% to 50%), making it the prime time for hiking in the nearby Glass House Mountains.
But don't get too comfortable. October is when the "storm season" officially kicks off. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, this is when the atmosphere starts getting energetic again. By November, the heat is ramping back up to 27.3°C, and you’ll start seeing those massive, towering cumulonimbus clouds forming over the mountains in the afternoon.
Real talk: The humidity and the "Feels Like" factor
When you look at a chart of Brisbane temperatures, it looks mild. It rarely hits 40°C like Western Australia or Melbourne. But 32°C in Brisbane feels significantly heavier because of the moisture.
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The "Dew Point" is the number you actually want to watch. If the dew point is over 20°C, you’re going to be sticky. This usually happens from December through March. If you’re not used to subtropical climates, this can be a bit of a shock to the system.
Brisbane average weather at a glance
| Month | Avg Max Temp | Avg Min Temp | Avg Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29.1°C | 20.9°C | 158mm |
| February | 28.9°C | 20.8°C | 172mm |
| March | 28.1°C | 19.5°C | 139mm |
| April | 26.3°C | 16.9°C | 90mm |
| May | 23.5°C | 13.8°C | 99mm |
| June | 21.2°C | 10.9°C | 71mm |
| July | 20.6°C | 9.5°C | 63mm |
| August | 21.7°C | 10.0°C | 43mm |
| September | 23.8°C | 12.5°C | 35mm |
| October | 25.6°C | 15.6°C | 94mm |
| November | 27.3°C | 18.0°C | 97mm |
| December | 28.6°C | 19.8°C | 126mm |
What about the "Big Wet"?
It would be dishonest to talk about Brisbane weather without mentioning floods. Because we’re in a subtropical zone, we get "rain events." Every decade or so, we get a year where the La Niña cycle brings massive, sustained rainfall.
The 2011 and 2022 floods are still fresh in people's minds. These usually happen in the peak summer months (January/February). If you’re booking a trip, check if it’s an El Niño year (drier and hotter) or a La Niña year (wetter). It makes a huge difference in how much sun you’ll actually see.
Survival tips for the Brisbane climate
- Sunscreen is non-negotiable: The UV index in Brisbane is "Extreme" for a large chunk of the year. You will burn in 10 minutes in January. Even on cloudy days.
- The "Brisbane Tuxedo": For men, this is a button-up linen shirt and dress shorts. For women, it’s a flowy midi-dress. If you wear jeans in February, you will regret it.
- The Afternoon Storm: If you see the sky turning a weird shade of green in the afternoon, get your car under cover. That’s the classic sign of a hail storm.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are planning a visit and want the absolute best experience, aim for May or October. You’ll avoid the oppressive humidity of summer and the (admittedly mild) chill of July nights.
To get the most accurate, up-to-the-minute data before you fly, keep the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website bookmarked. They have the most reliable radar for tracking those sudden afternoon thunderstorms that can catch you off guard. If you’re heading out on the river, also check the tide times, as heavy rain combined with a high tide is what usually causes the minor localized flooding in areas like Milton or Rosalie.
For those looking to save money, February and November are often cheaper for accommodation because the weather is a bit more temperamental. Just make sure your hotel has high-quality air conditioning—you're going to need it.