The best times to visit Top End for ideal weather are
April 23rd to September 16th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Top End Travel Guide
Other Top End Travel Info
Weather in Top End
Temperature
Average temperatures in Top End vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 39th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Top End, the hottest months are November, December, and then October. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early December where highs are regularly around 102.2°F (39°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 74.1°F (23.4°C) at night.
Top End Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
Key
Top End Temperatures (Celsius)
Key
“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Top End Perceived Temperature (F)
Key
Top End Perceived Temperature (C)
Key
Average Top End Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 96.5 | 83.9 | 74.2 |
| Feb | 95.2 | 82.6 | 72.4 |
| Mar | 94.1 | 81.2 | 70.6 |
| Apr | 93.2 | 78.5 | 64.6 |
| May | 89.3 | 73.4 | 57.9 |
| Jun | 83.8 | 68 | 52.3 |
| Jul | 85.3 | 68.3 | 50.9 |
| Aug | 89.4 | 71 | 51.2 |
| Sep | 96.9 | 79 | 58.7 |
| Oct | 100.6 | 84.5 | 66.7 |
| Nov | 101 | 86.6 | 72.7 |
| Dec | 97.9 | 85 | 74.4 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35.8 | 28.8 | 23.4 |
| Feb | 35.1 | 28.1 | 22.4 |
| Mar | 34.5 | 27.3 | 21.4 |
| Apr | 34 | 25.8 | 18.1 |
| May | 31.8 | 23 | 14.4 |
| Jun | 28.8 | 20 | 11.3 |
| Jul | 29.6 | 20.2 | 10.5 |
| Aug | 31.9 | 21.7 | 10.7 |
| Sep | 36.1 | 26.1 | 14.8 |
| Oct | 38.1 | 29.2 | 19.3 |
| Nov | 38.3 | 30.3 | 22.6 |
| Dec | 36.6 | 29.4 | 23.6 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Top End are July, August, and then May. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early to mid April. For example, on the week of April 9th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late December with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of December 24th.
When can you find snow in Top End? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Top End.
Key
Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Top End (in).
Key
Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33% | 0 | 7.9 |
| Feb | 35% | 0 | 7.8 |
| Mar | 25% | 0 | 5.2 |
| Apr | 3% | 0 | 0.8 |
| May | 1% | 0 | 0.1 |
| Jun | 2% | 0 | 0.4 |
| Jul | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Aug | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Sep | 1% | 0 | 0.1 |
| Oct | 4% | 0 | 0.8 |
| Nov | 12% | 0 | 3 |
| Dec | 31% | 0 | 7.6 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 0 | 20.1 |
| Feb | 35 | 0 | 19.8 |
| Mar | 25 | 0 | 13.2 |
| Apr | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| May | 1 | 0 | 0.3 |
| Jun | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Jul | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep | 1 | 0 | 0.3 |
| Oct | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Nov | 12 | 0 | 7.6 |
| Dec | 31 | 0 | 19.3 |
Humidity and Wind
Top End has some comfortably humid months, and dry months in the opposite season. The least humid month is September (21.4% relative humidity), and the most humid month is February (57.4%).
Wind in Top End is usually calm. The windiest month is June, followed by October and July. June’s average wind speed of around 5.1 knots (5.9 MPH or 9.5 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early to mid October where average top sustained speeds reach 9.7 knots, which is considered a gentle breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Top End.
Key
Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
Key
Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 4.7 | Light breeze | 8.6 | Gentle breeze |
| Feb | 4.3 | Light breeze | 8.4 | Gentle breeze |
| Mar | 4.2 | Light breeze | 8.2 | Gentle breeze |
| Apr | 4.2 | Light breeze | 8.4 | Gentle breeze |
| May | 4.5 | Light breeze | 8.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Jun | 5.1 | Light breeze | 8.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Jul | 4.9 | Light breeze | 8.5 | Gentle breeze |
| Aug | 4.9 | Light breeze | 8.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Sep | 4.7 | Light breeze | 8.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Oct | 5.1 | Light breeze | 9.4 | Gentle breeze |
| Nov | 4.7 | Light breeze | 8.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Dec | 4.5 | Light breeze | 8.9 | Gentle breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 55.9% |
| Feb | 57.4% |
| Mar | 55.5% |
| Apr | 42.8% |
| May | 35.9% |
| Jun | 31.8% |
| Jul | 27.1% |
| Aug | 21.8% |
| Sep | 21.4% |
| Oct | 23.6% |
| Nov | 33.8% |
| Dec | 49.7% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Top End?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for Australia; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 30, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Top End, Australia is August, followed by June and September. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Top End in November. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
Key
Overall Top End Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 94.9°F (34.9°C) and 86.6°F (30.3°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 0 to 8 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. These months see the least precipitation with 0 to 1 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Top End, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 102.2°F (39°C) and 94.6°F (34.8°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 0 to 4 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in Top End to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 101.6°F (38.7°C) and 93°F (33.9°C). On average, it rains or snows a great amount: consistently 10 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Australia › Top End, Australia