Fall in Townsville feels like a real break from the hot, sticky summer. Daytime highs start in the upper 80s °F and gradually slide down to the upper 70s °F. Nights, which can be muggy in summer, cool from the mid-70s °F to the low 60s °F.
Honestly, this is one of the best times to soak up Townsville’s tropical vibe without sweating through your shirt. The season feels comfortable and relaxed.
Skies clear up a lot as fall arrives. Overcast days become rare, and the wet season quietly slips away. Rainfall drops from a few inches early in fall to less than an inch by late May. That gives you way more chances to get outside and do your thing without worrying about getting drenched.
As the season moves forward, daylight hours get shorter, but you still get plenty of sun for exploring the coast or nearby parks. Humidity takes a dive too, so the air feels lighter and less suffocating compared to those heavy summer months.
Typical Fall Temperatures in Townsville
Townsville’s fall brings a steady, noticeable drop in both daytime and nighttime temps. Afternoons stay warm at first, but things cool off as the weeks go by. Nights shift from sticky and mild to genuinely cool by the end of May.
Average Daytime Temperature Trends
In early March, the average daytime temperature hovers around 87°F (31°C). By late May, it drops to about 79°F (26°C). You’ll rarely see it jump over 91°F (33°C) or fall below 75°F (24°C).
Afternoons feel pleasantly warm, not scorching. Lower humidity helps a lot, making the heat way more tolerable.
By the middle of fall, most days sit in the mid-80s °F (about 29°C). That’s when you really notice the shift from the wet, tropical summer into a drier, milder stretch.
Nighttime Temperature Variations
Nights cool down faster than days. At the start of fall, lows stay near 76°F (24°C). By late May, they drop to around 63°F (17°C).
Early March evenings can still feel warm and muggy. As May approaches, nights become much more comfortable, and you probably won’t need to run the air conditioner.
It’s pretty rare for lows to dip below 55°F (13°C). You can usually get by with just a light jacket or sweater if you’re out late at night in May.
Monthly Temperature Changes
Look at the season month by month, and the cooling trend is obvious:
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| March | ~87°F (31°C) | ~76°F (24°C) |
| April | ~83°F (28°C) | ~70°F (21°C) |
| May | ~79°F (26°C) | ~63°F (17°C) |
March still feels a bit like summer, especially at night. April brings a nice drop after sunset. By May, days are mild and evenings are definitely cooler.
Rainfall and Rainy Days During Fall
Rainfall in Townsville drops off compared to the summer wet season, but you’ll still see some showers. Lighter totals, fewer rainy days, and a steady move toward dry weather define the season.
Monthly Precipitation Totals
Rainfall starts higher in March—usually around 100–150 mm. April brings totals down to about 40–60 mm. By May, you’re looking at just 20–30 mm on average.
Townsville dries out fast once fall gets underway. March can still feel humid with the odd heavy shower, but April and May mostly bring lighter, shorter rain.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | ~100–150 |
| April | ~40–60 |
| May | ~20–30 |
These numbers really show how quickly the weather flips from wet to dry.
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rainy days become less common as fall goes on. In March, you might get 7–9 days with rain, but most showers don’t last long. April averages about 3–5 rainy days, and May drops to just 2–3 days with any measurable rain.
Rain usually comes in quick bursts, not long, soaking periods. That makes planning outdoor activities a lot easier—especially in late fall. By May, you’ll probably go days at a time without a drop.
You’ll notice more humidity in March, but April and May feel a lot drier.
Seasonal Rainfall Patterns
Fall marks the shift from the wet season to the dry season. March still brings tropical influences, with higher rainfall and the occasional thunderstorm. By April, the wet season’s grip loosens, and showers become less frequent and lighter.
In May, rain is minimal and the dry season really sets in. That’s typical of Townsville’s tropical savanna climate, with a sharp divide between wet and dry months.
So if you’re planning a trip, keep in mind that early fall might still surprise you with a downpour, but by late fall, it’s mostly dry and sunny.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
In fall, Townsville keeps up its reputation for sunshine. You’ll notice only gradual changes in daylight length. How much sun you get definitely shapes your options for outdoor plans.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
Townsville ranks as one of Australia’s sunniest cities, and fall doesn’t disappoint. On average, you get about 8 to 9 hours of bright sunshine a day.
September is especially dry, with clear skies most days. You can expect nearly 80% of daylight hours to be sunny. By November, that drops a bit to around 70% as humidity and cloud cover creep up.
Here’s a quick look at typical daily sunshine hours during fall:
| Month | Avg. Sunshine Hours/Day | % of Sunny Daylight Hours |
|---|---|---|
| September | ~9h 24m | 79% |
| October | ~9h 29m | 76% |
| November | ~9h 12m | 71% |
Even as the wet season starts to approach, fall still offers long, bright days.
Changes in Daylight Length
Daylight in Townsville lengthens slowly through fall. September averages about 12 hours of daylight, while November stretches just over 13 hours.
This means you get more usable daylight as the months pass. In October, for example, the average day lasts 12 hours and 34 minutes. That’s plenty of time for both morning and evening adventures.
The difference between the longest and shortest fall days is about an hour. It’s not huge, but if you’re outdoors a lot, you’ll notice. The sun climbs higher in the sky as the season goes on, hitting nearly 87° at solar noon in November, which brings strong midday light.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset shift a bit during fall, changing the rhythm of your day. In early September, sunrise is around 6:20 AM and sunset is close to 6:20 PM. By late November, sunrise comes earlier—about 5:20 AM—and sunset stretches to 6:30 PM.
Mornings brighten sooner as fall moves along, and evenings last a little longer. The extra daylight is especially nice in October and November.
If you’re planning early hikes or late dinners outside, it’s good to remember that sunsets are earliest in September and evenings run longest as summer approaches. Fall really does make for a smooth, comfortable transition for locals and visitors alike.
Humidity Levels in Fall
Fall in Townsville still brings some humidity, but it’s much less intense than in the peak of summer. You’ll notice moderate relative humidity that can affect how warm the air feels, especially early in the season.
Average Relative Humidity
Relative humidity here averages close to 70% throughout the year, and fall doesn’t stray far from that. It’s not as muggy as the wet season, but there’s still enough moisture in the air to notice.
March, the start of fall, often keeps humidity high because the wet season lingers. By May, things dry out a bit, though humidity rarely dips below the mid-60% range.
You’ll still feel a bit of stickiness on warm days. Townsville’s spot on the coast helps keep humidity steady, which is probably why the city’s parks and gardens stay green even as the season changes.
Monthly Humidity Fluctuations
Humidity shifts as fall goes on. March tends to be the stickiest, often around 72–74%, since rain and clouds are still common. April drops slightly to about 68–70%, and May usually lands in the 65–67% range.
Pair those numbers with cooler temps—dropping from 87°F (31°C) in March to 79°F (26°C) in May—and late fall feels a lot more comfortable. Lower humidity in May makes it a great time for outdoor plans, and it’s a sure sign that winter is on its way.
Wind Speed and Atmospheric Conditions
Fall in Townsville usually brings moderate wind speeds and steady conditions. Light to moderate breezes shift direction as the region moves from wetter to drier months.
Average Wind Speed by Month
Winds during fall generally stay gentle, between 2 m/s and 4 m/s (about 4.5–9 mph). That’s enough for a steady breeze but not enough to mess up your plans.
In March, average wind speeds sit around 3–4 m/s as the wet season fades. April sees a slight drop to 2–3 m/s, and by May, it’s usually about 2 m/s—a light breeze, really.
Late fall feels calmest, with lighter winds and clearer skies. The gentle May breezes help dry things out, making outdoor activities more pleasant.
| Month | Avg. Wind Speed | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| March | 3–4 m/s | Breezy, humid |
| April | 2–3 m/s | Mild breeze |
| May | ~2 m/s | Light breeze, clearer skies |
Prevailing Wind Patterns
In fall, winds mostly come from the east and southeast. These breezes bring in maritime air, which keeps temps moderate.
March winds still carry some wet season unpredictability, and you might feel the occasional stronger gust. By April and May, the southeast trade winds settle in, creating a steady, gentle flow.
These trade winds help Townsville shift into its drier winter. For folks on the coast, that steady southeast breeze keeps things comfortable, balancing out the tropical sun.
Other Notable Fall Weather Characteristics
During fall in Townsville, you really notice how the sky clears and rainfall patterns change. The season just feels different—less humid, more comfortable, and generally easier for planning whatever you want to do outside.
Cloud Cover Trends
Cloud cover drops off fast as fall moves along. At the start of March, you’ll notice skies are cloudy or mostly cloudy about two-thirds of the time.
By late May, that number falls to just about one-third of the time. You’ll start seeing more clear or partly clear days.
The clearest period usually shows up near the end of May. Skies turn clear or mostly clear on about 67% of days then.
Honestly, late fall feels like a great time for outdoor sightseeing, snapping photos, or just wandering the coast, since visibility gets so much better compared to earlier months.
Rain chances drop in a similar way. Early fall still brings wet days around 39% of the time.
But by the end of May, you’re looking at less than 10%. Pair that with the thinner cloud cover, and you get drier, sunnier weather—something most travelers definitely appreciate.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Fall in Townsville just hits differently compared to summer or winter. During summer, you get hit with high humidity, lots of rain, and heavy cloud cover.
When fall rolls around, muggy days drop fast, going from about 95% in early March to less than 25% by late May. That’s a big relief if you’re tired of sticky air.
Fall feels warmer and a bit more humid than winter. Winter brings cooler days and barely any muggy weather.
But in fall, you still enjoy long stretches of dry, sunny weather, especially in May. That makes it a pretty good time for both locals and visitors to get out and do things.
Daylight starts to slip away too. Between March and May, you lose about 1 hour and 25 minutes of daylight.
It’s not as dramatic as in winter, but you’ll notice sunsets coming earlier by the end of fall. If you’re planning outdoor trips or evening plans, you might want to keep that in mind.