Cairns weather: Far North expected to enjoy warmer than average temperatures

Get ready to feel the difference as temperatures rise in the Cairns region after our mild brush with winter. WHAT TO EXPECT

A CHANGE in temperatures is headed to the Far North as warmer than average weather is predicted in the next three months.

The difference is expected to be felt as early as next week.

Bureau of Meteorology atmospheric scientist Brooke Pagel said there was a small chance of a shower over the weekend with only drizzle expected on the coastal fringe.

“From Monday onwards we have a trough shifting towards the east coast,” she said.

“That means it’s going to be drawing tropical moisture as it moves along. With all that moisture, the temperatures will be increasing from Tuesday.

“So from Tuesday onwards we are looking at maximums of 28C and 29C with minimums of 19C and 29C.”

Ms Pagel said the average minimum in August was 17C while the average maximum was 26C.

The weather in Cairns is forecast to heat up next week. Tyler Everson and Mia Lute from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria enjoy soaking up the sun on the Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

“For the Far North, the maximum temperatures will be slightly above average from August to October,” she said.

“It’s not just going to be a one off, we are expecting around the whole outlook, consistently hot.

“The average maximum in September is 28C, October is 29C, November 30C.”

Ms Pagel said the wet season is expected to start in September which is the average.

“We are looking at above medium rainfall, that’s across all of Queensland and for the tropics,” she said.

“I do believe because we do have an Indian Ocean Diapole event, it will be a negative.

“That’s basically another climate driver. When it’s negative we do get the chances of above average spring rainfall.”

Ms Pagel said there was a 50 per cent of La Nina reforming later in the year.

“It is predicted to remain neutral until the end of 2020,” she said.

Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Dr Lynette Bettio said the whole country can expect warmer than average night for this time of year.

“Most of northern Australia has been much wetter than usual for this time of year,” she said.

“The area around Cairns had its wettest July on record.”

Originally published as Cairns weather: Far North expected to enjoy warmer than average temperatures