Brisbane experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, wet summers and moderately dry, mild winters. Annual temperatures average a minimum of 16.6 °C (62 °F) and a maximum of 26.6 °C (80 °F), making it Australia’s second-hottest capital after Darwin. Seasonal changes are subtle, with average maximum temperatures above 26 °C (79 °F) from October through April. Proximity to the Coral Sea and warm ocean currents reduces temperature variability compared to other Australian cities. Summer days generally reach 27–33 °C (81–91 °F), with extreme heat above 35 °C (95 °F) being uncommon. Winters are short and warm, with maximum temperatures averaging around 22 °C (72 °F).

Brisbane has recorded temperatures as high as 43.2 °C (109.8 °F) on Australia Day 1940 and as low as −0.1 °C (31.8 °F) in July 2007. Frosts and sub-zero temperatures are rare, though western suburbs such as Ipswich occasionally drop to −5 °C (23 °F). Snow is exceptionally rare, with only three officially recorded events in 1927, 1932, and 1958.

The city receives ample annual rainfall, particularly from November to March when thunderstorms are frequent, sometimes producing hail, heavy rain, destructive winds, and tornadic supercells to the west of Brisbane. On average, Brisbane experiences 124 clear days per year, with overcast skies more common in summer. Notable rainfall events include the wettest day on record—21 January 1887, with 465 mm (18.3 in)—and the wettest month—February 1893, with 1,025.9 mm (40.39 in). Major floods have occurred in 1893, 1974, 2011, and 2022, often linked to tropical lows or cyclones such as Cyclone Wanda, Cyclone Tasha, and the recent Cyclone Alfred in 2025.

Brisbane sits at the southern edge of Australia’s tropical cyclone risk zone. Full-strength cyclones rarely make landfall, but ex-tropical cyclones can bring damaging winds and floods. The city’s climate, marked by warm, humid summers and mild winters, combined with seasonal storms, continues to shape its urban infrastructure, river management strategies, and community resilience planning.