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Weather

The Northern Territory -
The Top End (Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and Arnhem Land) traditionally has only two seasons, known to the locals as the 'Wet' and the 'Dry'. The 'Dry' falls between the months of May to October each year and is virtually guaranteed to be rain free. Day time temperatures of around 25C and cooler nights to 20¡C make for perfect living.

Daytime rarely go as high as 33¡C, but humidity is low and rainfall is minimal. It is a time of idyllic weather, sunshine, and fresh breezes and the Dry Season is so predictable that outdoor events can be arranged years ahead without fear of rain. October brings the start of the rains and possible heavy thunder storms in the park areas. The 'Wet' occurs between November and April. This is a time of high humidity, spectacular thunder and lightening storms, gushing waterfalls and lush green countryside.

Day time temperatures rarely reach over 32C but a late afternoon storm is guaranteed to cool the day. Night time temperatures hover around 25¡C. During the Tropical Summer season from November to April, you can expect rainfall of 300mm to 400mm per month - mainly falling during the late afternoon and at night. During a monsoonal burst, flooding of some kind is very common particularly in outlying areas. Almost all of the Top Ends 1200-1800mm annual rainfall comes during this period. The rains bring spectacular lightning displays and the threat of cyclones, and is certainly a dramatic time of the year.

The Aboriginal Perspective
Top End Aborigines have six seasons, the pre-monsoon season which they call Gunumeleng goes from October to January when Gudjewg, a time of violent thunderstorms, begins and there is an explosion of plant and animal life. In March comes Bangerreng when plants fruit and animals are carrying their young. Between April and May is Yegge, the time to start burning the bush, June and July are Wurrgeng or cold season. Creeks and billabongs are dry but the magpie geese are fat and abundant. August and September are Gurrung, the time to hunt file snakes and long necked turtles. It is a highly utilitarian view of the world and its climate which many non-Aboriginal Territorians have adopted. They like the Aboriginal nuisances of the seasons. You probably will as well.

The Darwin Region
During the Dry, Darwin rightly boasts of the best weather in the world. Fine conditions prevail and winds are typically dry, light to moderate south easterlies, ideal for those that love to sail. Most Australian visitors come during the Dry to escape the southern winter and bask in Darwin's mild climate and generally cool nights. The days simply sparkle and the city needs no promotion. Everybody loves the dry. The Tropical Summer can be the most interesting season of the year. That is when Darwin experiences the tropical annual monsoon which sweeps from the Arafura Sea and bathes the Top End with torrential rain. It starts about the end of November, perhaps early December depending on the vagaries of the weather in South East Asia and is preceded by the buildup, a period of intense heat and humidity but little rain. The dark clouds build ominously over the harbour and spectacular lightening displays are a sight to behold. The average rainfall of Darwin is 1659mm a year. Mean temperature in January, the middle of the Tropical Summer is a maximum of 32¡C and a minimum of 24¡C. During the middle of the Dry in July mean temperatures are a maximum of 30¡C and a minimum of 19¡C. You should always carry plenty of water with you and make sure you keep yourself properly hydrated. Be aware of the "Slip - on a shirt, Slop - on the sunscreen, Slap - on a hat, Slurp - lots of water" slogan and heed it.

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