Climate

The Northern Territory is so large it covers two very distinct climate zones: The Red Centre and the Tropical North.

Central Australia

Central Australia, which includes Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, the Barkly Tablelands and Uluru/Kata-Tjuta regions, has a semi-arid climate.  It experiences Australia's four typical seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring.  The Red Centre has hot summer days from December to February and very cold nights from June to August. Spring and autumn are warm throughout the day and cool at night.


Season

Months

Average Temperature (C)

Average
Temperature (F)

Total Rainfall (mm)

Spring

Sept –  Nov

30.5

86.9

56.5

Summer

Dec  –  Feb

35.6

96

116.5

Autumn

Mar  –  May

28

82.4

67

Winter

Jun  –  Aug

20.6

69

38

 

 

28.6

83.4

278

Tropical North

The Top End, which includes Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land, has a tropical climate. Darwin has an average temperature of 32 degrees Celsius all year, with varying humidity.  The tropical summer, from December to March, brings with it spectacular thunder storms and monsoonal downpours.  The dry season, from May to October, has warm, sunny days and cool nights.  


Season

Months

Average Temperature (C)

Average Temperature (F)

Total Rainfall (mm)

Wet

Nov – April

32.2

89.9

1 593.8

Dry

May – Oct

31.6

88.8

113

 

 

31.9

89.4

1 706.8

Further information about the NT’s climate and up to date maps indicating rainfall and storm activity can be found at www.bom.gov.au or www.weatherzone.com.au.