Brisbane’s fall season marks a clear shift. The humid summer heat gives way to milder, much more comfortable weather.
Daytime highs drop from the low 80s °F to the low 70s °F. Nights cool off from the upper 60s °F into the mid-50s °F. Autumn really feels like the sweet spot for enjoying Brisbane’s outdoor lifestyle. You don’t get those summer extremes, and winter’s chill hasn’t set in yet.
Humidity drops sharply as fall moves on, so the air feels lighter. Rainfall eases off too. Most days are partly cloudy, but there’s still plenty of sun. Warm days, cool evenings, and fewer muggy spells make it easy to get outside—whether you’re hitting the parks, walking by the river, or heading to the beach.
As weeks pass, daylight hours get shorter. Winds shift from the east to the south, and the coastal water temperature cools down. These patterns shape Brisbane’s autumn and help the city slide into its drier winter months.
Overview of Fall Climate in Brisbane
Fall in Brisbane brings milder days, cooler nights, and a steady drop in humidity and rainfall. The season really marks a shift from the hot, sticky summer toward drier, more comfortable winter conditions.
Daylight shrinks fast, and the ocean cools as well. You can definitely sense the change.
Key Features of Autumn Weather
During fall, Brisbane’s daily highs usually range from about 83°F (28°C) in early March to 71°F (22°C) by late May. Nights cool off more quickly, dropping from the upper 60s°F (near 20°C) to the mid-50s°F (around 12°C).
Humidity falls noticeably. At the start, more than half the days feel muggy. By late May, muggy spells are rare, so outdoor activities become a lot more pleasant.
Rainfall also drops. March can still be wet, with around 120 mm (4–5 inches), but by May, you’ll see closer to 70 mm (about 3 inches). The odds of a rainy day fall from about one in three to one in five.
Winds stay moderate, averaging 9–10 mph. They shift from the east in early fall to the south by late May. Sunshine hours drop, but skies stay partly clear most of the time, with cloud cover on about 25% of days.
Seasonal Transition from Summer to Fall
You’ll notice the change from summer right away in March. February’s heavy humidity and frequent storms start to fade, and evenings cool down fast.
By April, nights feel crisp. You might want a light jacket, especially away from the coast.
The ocean stays warm at around 26°C (79°F) in early fall. By late May, it cools to about 22°C (72°F). Swimming feels good in March and April, but by May, it’s less tempting.
Daylight shrinks by over two hours during fall. In early March, sunset comes after 6:15 PM, but by late May, the sun’s down just after 5:00 PM. Sunrises get almost 50 minutes later too.
How Fall Differs from Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall feels cooler and less humid. Thunderstorms and heavy rain are less common. You get more stable weather—pretty handy if you’re planning outdoor events.
Winter brings cooler days, with highs around 68°F (20°C), but fall hangs onto the low to mid-70s°F (22–24°C) for much of the season. Nights stay milder, and mornings rarely dip below 50°F (10°C).
Spring heats up quickly, but humidity and storms start to creep back. Fall avoids that drama. It offers steady, comfortable weather.
If you look at all four seasons, fall really stands out. It doesn’t have summer’s heat, winter’s chill, or spring’s sudden storms. Many locals and travelers actually consider it the best time of year.
Average Temperatures During Fall
Brisbane’s fall brings a steady cooling trend as summer heat fades away. Warm afternoons slowly shift to cooler evenings, and you’ll feel the difference between March and May.
These changes matter for comfort and for planning, especially if you like mild weather.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During fall, daytime highs drop from about 83°F (28°C) in early March to around 71°F (22°C) by late May. Temperatures rarely go above 87°F (31°C), so extreme heat isn’t really an issue.
Nighttime lows fall more sharply. Early in the season, you’ll get nights near 69°F (21°C). By late May, lows dip closer to 54°F (12°C). Nights below 50°F (10°C) don’t happen often, but they can.
This range makes fall one of Brisbane’s most comfortable stretches. Warm days fade into cool—but not freezing—nights. You can enjoy being outside without worrying about sticky humidity or winter’s chill.
Monthly Temperature Trends from March to May
Each month brings a clear step down in average temperature.
- March: Highs average around 28°C (82°F), with lows near 20°C (68°F). It’s still warm and can feel humid.
- April: Highs hit about 25°C (77°F), and lows drop to 16°C (61°F). Humidity lets up, and things feel nicer.
- May: Highs average 22°C (72°F), and lows reach 12°C (54°F). Evenings get cooler, and mornings can feel brisk.
You’ll want lighter clothes in March, but by May, pack some layers. Outdoor dining, hiking, and sightseeing stay comfortable, with little risk of extreme heat.
Comparison with Annual Temperature Averages
Fall sits right between Brisbane’s hottest and coldest times. January is the hottest, with highs around 29°C (84°F) and lows about 21°C (70°F). July is the coldest, with highs near 20°C (68°F) and lows around 9°C (49°F).
Fall averages put Brisbane in a nice middle ground. Highs of 22–28°C (71–83°F) and lows of 12–20°C (54–69°F) make it warmer than winter, but milder than summer.
A lot of travelers actually prefer autumn for this reason. You skip the sticky summer heat, but it’s still warmer than winter. The steady weather is great for sightseeing and outdoor events.
Humidity Levels in Brisbane’s Autumn
During autumn, Brisbane’s humidity drops from summer highs to drier winter levels. You’ll notice the air feels less sticky, which really adds to the comfort.
Typical Humidity Ranges
Brisbane’s average annual relative humidity is about 66–67%, but autumn brings lower numbers than summer. In March, relative humidity often sits near 70–73%, especially in the mornings.
As April and May roll on, the air dries out. By late fall, humidity drops to about 60–62%. That’s a noticeable difference if you’re outside a lot.
Mornings are usually more humid than afternoons. Early hours can feel a bit damp, but by midday, humidity drops as the sun comes out. That’s pretty typical for Brisbane’s subtropical climate.
Monthly Variations in Humidity
Humidity drops month by month.
- March: Humidity stays pretty high, averaging around 70% or more, with frequent rainfall adding to the mix.
- April: Things dry out, with average humidity down to about 65%. Rain falls less often, so the air feels lighter.
- May: Humidity drops even more, averaging close to 60%. Mornings feel cooler, and skies are usually clearer.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, these changes matter. March might feel muggy, but April and May bring much more pleasant air. By late May, you can really feel the transition into Brisbane’s drier winter.
Precipitation and Rainfall Patterns
Fall in Brisbane brings a clear drop in rainfall compared to the wetter summer months. You’ll see less total precipitation, fewer rainy days, and longer dry spells as winter approaches.
Average Monthly Precipitation
Rainfall drops steadily from March to May. March still feels the tail end of the wet season, with totals often hitting 80–100 mm. In April, rain usually falls closer to 60–70 mm. By May, the monthly average is around 40–50 mm.
This pattern fits Brisbane’s subtropical climate, where summer storms dominate, and autumn eases into a drier stretch.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | ~80–100 mm |
| April | ~60–70 mm |
| May | ~40–50 mm |
You can see how quickly rainfall drops over these months.
Rainy Days and Frequency
Rainy days follow the same downward trend. In March, you’ll get rain on 12–14 days. April usually has 8–10 days with rain, and May only brings 6–7 days.
Most showers are light or moderate, and thunderstorms are less common than in summer. Rain is less likely to ruin your plans, though you should still be ready for occasional wet weather.
Short bursts of rain happen more often than all-day downpours. That makes it easier to work around showers if you’re heading out for the day.
Seasonal Decline in Rainfall
The drop in rainfall is one of the biggest weather changes during Brisbane’s fall. The city moves from summer’s wettest months into a much drier period by May.
This shift matters if you’re planning a trip. Outdoor activities like hiking or riverside walks become more reliable as the rain eases. Less rain also means lower humidity, so it’s just more comfortable all around.
By late autumn, you’re unlikely to get stuck in a long stretch of wet weather. Expect mild temperatures, limited rain, and a steady lead-in to Brisbane’s dry and sunny winter.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
In fall, Brisbane gives you a mix of partly cloudy days and plenty of sunshine. The balance of mild cloud cover and generous daylight makes outdoor plans easy and enjoyable.
Typical Cloud Cover During Fall
Brisbane’s fall cloud cover is pretty moderate—much less than summer’s. On average, skies are overcast or mostly cloudy about 25–30% of the time. That means you’ll still get lots of clear or partly sunny days.
From March to May, clouds thin out. Early fall can hang onto some humidity and cloudiness from summer, but late fall usually brings clearer skies. That shift helps if you like to plan ahead.
Cloud cover isn’t even throughout the day. Mornings might start with low clouds or haze, but afternoons usually brighten up as the sky clears. That’s just how subtropical climates like Brisbane’s tend to work.
For travelers, this level of cloud cover strikes a nice balance. You don’t get the heavy, gray skies that some places see in fall, but you still get a bit of shade during warmer afternoons.
Average Daily Sunshine
You’ll find that sunshine hours in fall stay pretty high, so there’s usually plenty of daylight for getting outside. Brisbane gets 6.5 to 8.5 hours of sunshine per day in this season, though it depends on the month.
March brings a bit less sunshine because of higher rainfall and more clouds. By the time May rolls around, the days brighten up, and you get longer stretches of clear sky.
Here’s a quick look at the average daily sunshine for each month:
| Month | Average Daily Sunshine |
|---|---|
| March | ~6.8 hours |
| April | ~7.5 hours |
| May | ~8.2 hours |
Even in March, you still get more than half the day under direct sunlight. That kind of consistency really helps if you’re planning to sightsee, hike, or just eat outside.
The mild temperatures also work nicely with all that daylight. With steady sun and moderate warmth, fall in Brisbane feels like a practical and genuinely pleasant time to spend outdoors.
Wind Conditions in Autumn
Brisbane’s fall brings in moderate winds, and they shift a bit in speed and direction as the months go by. Most days, you’ll notice gentle breezes, with only the occasional stronger gust, so it’s usually comfortable for being outside.
Prevailing Winds and Speeds
In autumn, winds in Brisbane usually come from the east or southeast. That lines up with the city’s coastal vibe, since sea breezes play a big part in the everyday weather.
Average wind speeds sit between 2 m/s and 4 m/s (about 7–14 km/h). This keeps things mild, though you might feel stronger breezes if you’re near the river or out by the bayside.
You probably won’t run into disruptive winds at this time of year. The steady airflow actually helps with humidity and keeps daytime temps comfortable. If you’re traveling, you can eat outside, go on walking tours, or try water activities without worrying much about harsh gusts.
Wind Patterns by Month
Wind shifts a bit from March through May. In March, you’ll probably notice breezier days, with average speeds hitting the higher end of the seasonal range. That lines up with the end of the wet season, so passing showers can really bump up the gusts for a while.
By April, winds settle down a bit. They stay steady, but aren’t as intense as they were in early autumn. Most afternoons, especially near the coast, you’ll feel those light easterly breezes.
May usually brings even calmer conditions. Average speeds drop to the lower end of the scale. The air just feels more stable, and you don’t get those strong gusts much anymore.
Monthly Wind Overview (Autumn):
- March: 3–4 m/s, breezier, occasional gusts
- April: 2–3 m/s, steady easterly flow
- May: 2 m/s, calmer and more stable