School holidays in Cairns brings a cold snap

Far North has recorded lower than average temperatures across the past week, as tourists flock to the region for school holidays.

Far North Qld records lower than average June temperatures. Picture: iStock.

The Far North has recorded lower than average temperatures as tourists flock to the region for the school holidays.

Bureau of Meteorology spokesman Daniel Hayes confirmed temperatures along the North Tropical Coast had been unseasonably below average for this time of year.

“The Cairns Airport got to 12.7C (on Thursday morning), a couple degrees lower than yesterday, so it’s been cooler across the board,” Mr Hayes said.

With temperatures recorded at a low of 10C, up to five degrees below the typical minimum average, Mr Hayes confirmed the Far North had experienced some cold cells, but no winter records have been broken.

The Far North has recorded lower than average temperatures as tourists flock to the region for the school holidays. Picture: Windy.

He confirmed temperatures in the Tablelands have reached single digits.

“We recorded 1.9C at Ravenshoe. They could have had patchy frost up (there) and in those sorts of places, with pretty clear conditions,” he said.

Mr Hayes said the change in temperature was due to the south to south-easterly flow across the state bringing cool air up and interacting with the low on the NSW coast.

“That means the cooler air’s been pushed up and toward the tropical north coast,” he said.

“The extra push from this one has helped it get a bit cooler for us.”

Mr Hayes said minimum temperatures have stayed below average, while maximum temperatures stayed around the average low-20C mark.

“The maximums are staying one or two degrees below average, whereas minimum temperatures have been dropping from 4C to 6C, or even 10 degrees below average in June when we had that cold break,” he said.

Property near Atherton Tablelands fro July 3, showing frost on the ground as temperatures range from 0-6 degrees. Picture: Facebook | Sharnie Koster.

“The cooler conditions have been associated with clear skies and allowed things to cool off quite well, so as long as the winds aren’t strong, it’s still pleasant weather for us.”

Despite clear skies during the week, light shower activity is predicted for Sunday.

“There is a little bit of shower activity coming in on Sunday. We might see showers on Saturday but it’s expected to be quite light,” he said.

“We’ll be returning to clear conditions by Monday, but it will be mostly sunny from Tuesday onwards.”

Originally published as School holidays in Cairns brings a cold snap