Climate of Weipa Area

Weipa has a tropical monsoonal climate with a distinct wet and dry season.

The average annual rainfall at Weipa is over 2 metres with most occuring from December through to March. Very little rainfall is reported from May to September.

Average daily maximum temperatures range from 31 degrees during the winter months up to 35 degrees during late spring before the commencement of 'the wet'. Minimum overnight temperatures are 18-19 degrees during the winter months and near 24 degrees during summer.

The region tends to have light to moderate southeast to east winds during the dry season. Over the summer winds are mostly light tending moderate westerly when the monsoon trough dips south of the area. Fresh winds occur occasionally but strong or gale force winds normally only occur with a tropical cyclone.

The cyclone season is from December through to April with cyclones regularly affecting the area. Tropical Cyclone "Mark" crossed the coast near Weipa on 10th January 1992, with consequent widespread minor damage - falling trees being largely responsible for damage to houses and power lines. Wave action caused extensive damage at a Port loading facility. The maximum wind gust at the Weipa Met. office was 63 knots from the northwest. Weipa records 33 thunder days per year on average with almost all occuring from late spring through to early autumn. Fog occurs on average 4-5 times each year. Maximum temperatures have almost reached 40 degrees and minimum temperatures have dropped to around 12 degrees.