What is the wet season in northern Australia?
The wet season in northern Australia runs from about November to April. It brings high humidity, heavy monsoon rains, thunderstorms and sometimes tropical cyclones to places such as Darwin, Cairns and the Kimberley.
Northern Australia has a tropical climate with two main seasons: the wet and the dry. Temperatures remain warm all year, so rainfall is the biggest difference.
During the wet season, monsoon winds bring moist air from the ocean. Rainfall can be extremely heavy, flooding rivers and wetlands and cutting off roads.
The build-up
Before the rain arrives, there is a period called the build-up, usually from October to December. Humidity rises sharply, and storms build in the afternoons.
The wet season brings dramatic waterfalls, green landscapes and abundant wildlife. However, many roads in national parks such as Kakadu close because of flooding.
Tropical cyclones can form in the wet season, bringing destructive winds and rain. Many locals enjoy the wet season for its storms and fewer tourists.
Many Aboriginal groups in the north recognize several seasons within the wet and dry, based on changes in rain, plants and animals.