When you think about summer in Broome, hot and humid days come to mind, with tropical skies that can flip from bright sunshine to heavy clouds in no time. Average daytime highs hit around 91°F (33°C), and nights stay warm, hovering at about 80°F (27°C). This pattern makes the season feel pretty relentless, since the heat barely lets up after sunset.
As summer rolls on, you can really feel the atmosphere shift. Cloud cover thickens, rainfall picks up, and humidity climbs close to its peak. The mix of heat and moisture shapes everything, from your outdoor plans to how you try to stay cool indoors.
Knowing these patterns gives you a sense of what you’re in for before you step into Broome’s summer. Temperature swings, tropical downpours, muggy air, and gusty winds all play a part in how the season unfolds.
Broome’s Summer Climate Overview
Summer in Broome means high temperatures, heavy humidity, and a clear split between wet and dry spells. You get hot days, warm nights, and storms that bring heavy rainfall.
Key Climate Characteristics
Broome has a hot semi-arid to tropical climate, and in summer, it definitely leans humid. Average highs reach about 91°F (33°C), while nights rarely dip below 75°F (24°C).
Humidity spikes, making the air feel even hotter than the numbers suggest. Thunderstorms hit in the afternoon or evening, and when it rains, it pours—but usually not for long.
The sea temperature hangs around 28–30°C (82–86°F), so you can swim year-round. The warm ocean keeps humidity high and helps fuel summer storms.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Broome’s summer falls during the wet season. Rainfall jumps up compared to the rest of the year, especially in January and February, when the heaviest downpours hit.
Storms can roll in fast, bringing lightning and heavy rain that doesn’t last long. Cloud cover increases, so you’ll see fewer clear days than in the dry season.
Still, there’s no shortage of sunshine, and most days are hot and bright. The combo of heat, humidity, and quick storms gives summer its own rhythm.
Comparison with Other Seasons
Summer in Broome stands in stark contrast to winter. In winter, you get average highs of 73–77°F (23–25°C), and humidity drops, making things feel dry and pleasant.
The dry season brings clear skies, cool nights, and barely any rain. Outdoor activities are easier to plan in winter because the weather rarely gets in the way.
In summer, you need to stay flexible. Heavy rain and humidity can mess with travel plans, but they also turn the landscape green and fill the skies with dramatic clouds you won’t see in winter. This big seasonal swing really defines Broome’s climate.
Average Summer Temperatures
Broome’s summer sticks to hot weather, high humidity, and warm nights. Day and night temps stay close, monthly averages barely budge, and sometimes you’ll see wild extremes that break the usual pattern.
Daytime and Nighttime Ranges
Daytime temps in summer usually hit 89–91°F (32–33°C). The heat feels worse thanks to the humidity that comes with this tropical climate. Afternoons can get sticky, so shade and water matter if you’re outside.
At night, the temperature barely drops below 77°F (25°C). Without air-con or a fan, the warm evenings can feel a bit much. The sea surface temperature stays around 28°C (82°F), so even the breeze from the coast doesn’t cool things down much. If your accommodation doesn’t have solid cooling, plan for hot nights.
Because there’s not much difference between day and night temps, the heat just hangs around. Inland areas might cool off after sunset, but Broome’s coastal spot keeps the warmth locked in.
Monthly Temperature Trends
Summer in Broome runs from December through February. The numbers don’t change much month to month, but you’ll notice shifts in humidity and cloud cover.
- December: Highs near 90°F (32°C), nights about 77°F (25°C). The wet season starts, and clouds move in.
- January: Hottest month, with highs around 91°F (33°C). Nights hover near 78°F (26°C). Showers and storms pick up.
- February: Still hot, but cloud cover gets thicker. Highs stay near 90°F (32°C), nights average 77°F (25°C).
You probably won’t notice a big change in temperature as summer goes on. It’s the humidity and rain that really shift.
Record Highs and Lows
Broome has seen some extreme summer temps now and then. The record high is about 109°F (43°C), way above the usual daily max. These spikes usually happen on clear, dry days when the sun’s relentless.
The record low for summer nights is around 70°F (21°C). Even then, the town doesn’t get much relief from the heat. Nights cooler than this are rare.
These records show just how steady Broome’s tropical summer can be. You get hot days, warm nights, and not much temperature swing compared to other places in Australia.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Broome’s summer is shaped by a tropical wet season. Heavy rainfall, high humidity, and frequent thunderstorms become the norm. Rain doesn’t fall evenly across the months—some get hammered with intense downpours, while others stay pretty dry.
Typical Summer Rainfall
During summer, rainfall ramps up fast compared to the rest of the year. Broome gets over 500 mm of rain between December and March, which is most of its yearly total of about 600 mm.
Rain comes in short, heavy bursts, not gentle showers. These downpours usually hit in the late afternoon or evening, driven by tropical convection.
You’ll see about 8–12 rainy days per month during peak summer. It’s not the frequency, but the power of each storm that stands out.
Humidity shoots up too, often passing 70%, and that makes the heat feel even heavier. Even so, long sunny stretches break up the storms.
Wettest Months
January and February get the most rain, with February marking the peak of the wet season. February averages about 175 mm of rain, spread over 10 or more days.
December kicks off the wet season, but it’s not as intense as the months that follow. By March, rain starts to taper off, though a heavy storm can still surprise you.
September barely gets any rain—less than 1 mm. That’s a huge difference and really shows how seasonal Broome’s rain is.
Tropical cyclones sometimes boost rainfall totals in January and February. Not every year brings a cyclone, but when it happens, extreme rainfall and flooding become real risks.
Impact of Rain on Daily Life
Rain in Broome can turn things upside down for locals and visitors alike. Roads flood fast after heavy downpours, especially in low spots. You might have to change travel plans, as storms can delay flights or tours.
Outdoor activities—think beach trips or national park hikes—often get shuffled around. Many tour operators prefer morning excursions to dodge afternoon storms.
On the bright side, the wet season brings lush greenery, and waterfalls in nearby gorges reach their peak. If you’re flexible, you can still enjoy the area, even with the unpredictable weather.
Humidity and Dew Point in Summer
Broome’s summer means high humidity and noticeable dew point swings that affect how the heat feels. You’ll get sticky afternoons and warm nights, and your comfort depends a lot on how much moisture hangs in the air.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity in Broome stays high during summer. January and February usually hit 65–67% relative humidity, making them the muggiest months. By March, it drops a bit but still sits above 55%, which is plenty for that tropical feel.
These numbers matter when you’re planning outside time. High humidity makes the air feel hotter, even if the thermometer doesn’t show it. For example, a 32°C day with 65% humidity feels way warmer than a dry 32°C.
Humidity also changes from day to night. Daytimes bring moderate to high humidity, but evenings can feel even heavier as moisture builds up. Nights often feel warmer than the actual temperature because of it.
Dew Point Variations
Broome’s summer dew point usually sits between 22°C and 25°C, which means the air is very humid. When the dew point is above 20°C, you’ll notice the muggy, sticky feeling, especially in the afternoon.
Dew point values don’t change much through January, February, and March. That means there’s rarely a break from the damp air, even when the ocean breeze picks up.
At night, the dew point stays high, so the air doesn’t cool off much. That’s why summer nights feel warm and sticky, even if the temperature drops a little.
Effects on Comfort
High humidity and a high dew point make it harder for your body to cool down. Sweat doesn’t evaporate as easily, so you feel hotter than the temperature says. That’s why a 33°C day with a 24°C dew point can feel downright oppressive.
If you want to stay comfortable, stick to early morning activities when humidity is a bit lower. Midday and late afternoon are usually the toughest times because heat and moisture combine.
Air conditioning, shade, and hydration become must-haves for getting through the day. Even locals take it easy and avoid strenuous outdoor stuff during the most humid hours.
Wind Conditions During Summer
Winds in Broome shape the summer weather and play a big part in how hot and humid it feels. They affect cloud cover, bring in moisture, and sometimes offer a bit of relief from the heat.
Prevailing Wind Directions
In summer, Broome’s winds mostly blow from the northwest to west. These winds pick up moist air from the ocean, which adds to the wet season’s high humidity.
Afternoons usually bring sea breezes off the Indian Ocean. These breezes can cool things down a bit along the coast. At night, winds shift a little inland, but the northwest flow still dominates.
You’ll feel the ocean-driven winds most when humidity is at its peak. This is also when you’ll notice more cloud cover, especially from December through February.
Average Wind Speed
Wind speeds in Broome during summer are usually moderate, averaging 15–20 km/h (about 8–12 mph). Afternoon sea breezes can push speeds up, while mornings tend to stay calmer.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Time of Day | Typical Wind Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 10–14 km/h | Lighter, humid air |
| Afternoon | 15–20 km/h | Stronger sea breeze |
| Evening | 12–16 km/h | Moderate, steady flow |
Most of the time, winds don’t get strong enough to cause problems, but they can pick up during tropical storms. For travelers, the breeze usually feels steady enough to offer some cooling without being a pain.
Seasonal Wind Changes
Summer winds look different from those in the dry season. From November to March, the monsoon trough drops south, pulling in moist tropical air. This brings more changeable wind patterns than the steady easterlies you get in winter.
Winds get less predictable during storms. Tropical lows and cyclones can temporarily ramp up both speed and direction changes.
When storms aren’t around, the pattern is clear: northwest sea breezes take over, and inland winds stay weaker. This shift matters for outdoor plans, since it affects both comfort and safety if you’re traveling around the region.
Unique Summer Weather Phenomena
Broome’s summer climate brings dramatic storms, wild skies, and some pretty noticeable seasonal changes. These patterns shape daily life and travel plans, so it’s worth knowing what to expect if you’re heading outdoors.
Thunderstorms and Lightning
You’ll run into frequent thunderstorms during summer, especially from December through February. Most storms start building in the late afternoon, right when the heat and humidity hit their peak.
Lightning often lights up the sky, and it can get intense, with both cloud-to-ground and cloud-to-cloud strikes. Rain during these storms comes down hard but usually doesn’t last long, though it can cause quick flooding in low spots.
Storms pick up in January, and the odds of a wet day climb to almost 50%. Thunderstorms also bring strong gusts of wind, so if you’re near the coast or planning to be outside, keep an eye out.
Sunsets and Cloud Formations
The mix of tropical humidity and shifting clouds creates some wild skies. In December, you’ll notice clearer days, but by January heavy clouds start to take over. This shift sets up some pretty spectacular sunsets—deep reds, oranges, and purples that look almost unreal.
Big cumulus clouds pile up through the day, and by evening, those dramatic anvil-shaped storm clouds roll in. Not only do these clouds signal rain, but they also make the sunset colors even richer.
Photographers and visitors flock to Cable Beach to catch these scenes. With the ocean horizon, wet sand reflecting the sky, and those layered clouds, it’s no wonder this is one of Australia’s most photographed coastal sunsets.
Seasonal Transitions
Broome’s summer signals the start of the wet season. Early summer stays pretty dry, with about 1.5 inches of rain in December. By February, rainfall jumps to more than 6 inches for the month.
Daylight shifts, too. December’s longest day lasts over 13 hours, but by late February you lose around 40 minutes of sunlight. Sunrise and sunset times slide a bit, which affects when you’ll want to plan outdoor plans.
Humidity creeps up, and muggy days become the norm. This change affects comfort, energy use, and even local tourism, since lots of visitors adjust their plans once the heat and rain really set in.
Tips for Experiencing Broome’s Summer
Broome’s summer means hot days, sticky air, and rain showers that can show up out of nowhere. You can still have a great time if you prep for the heat, plan your outdoor activities smartly, and keep safety in mind.
Staying Comfortable in the Heat
Daytime highs usually hit 90–95°F (32–35°C), and nights don’t cool off much, often staying above 75°F (24°C). With the humidity, you’ll probably feel sticky even after sunset.
Wear light, breathable clothes like cotton or linen. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses really help against the harsh sun. Don’t forget to use broad-spectrum sunscreen often, especially if you’re hanging out by the water.
Hydration matters a lot. Bring a reusable water bottle and try not to spend too long outside without some shade. Hotels and restaurants almost always have air conditioning, so take breaks to cool off when you can.
If you don’t handle heat well, try to do errands or sightseeing early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when it’s a bit cooler.
Outdoor Activity Recommendations
Broome’s beaches and natural spots stay open in summer, but conditions can change fast. Cable Beach is a favorite for swimming and sunsets, though stingers (jellyfish) sometimes show up—always check local warnings before going in.
The wet season brings wild skies and the occasional storm. It’s a fantastic time for photography and birdwatching, since so many migratory species pass through.
If you like walking, stick to shorter trails in the shade. Skip long hikes in the middle of the day. Early mornings are best for places like Gantheaume Point or the Broome Historical Walk.
Fishing and boating are still popular, but the weather can turn quickly. Always check the marine forecast and make sure you’ve got the right safety gear.
Travel and Safety Advice
Rainfall really ramps up in summer, and heavy downpours can hit fast. Roads outside town might flood or even close, so it’s smart to check conditions before you drive anywhere.
If you’re heading off the main roads, bring a 4WD vehicle. Trust me, you don’t want to get stuck out there.
After it rains, mosquitoes seem to show up everywhere. Use repellent with DEET or picaridin, and throw on some long sleeves in the evening if you want fewer bites.
Cyclones can threaten northern Australia during summer, so keep an eye on official weather updates. If locals give you safety instructions, it’s best to follow them.
Try to keep your plans flexible. Storms might delay flights or tours, so give yourself some buffer time in your itinerary.