Murwillumbah sits in the Tweed Valley at the base of the ancient Wollumbin caldera — one of the largest volcanic remnants in the Southern Hemisphere. That geography shapes everything about the local weather. The steep ranges that ring the valley force moisture-laden air upward, squeezing out extraordinary amounts of rain. The valley floor stays warm year-round. And when big weather events hit the catchment, the consequences can be significant.
The short version: summers are hot, humid, and wet. Winters are genuinely mild — one of the region's best-kept secrets. And the transition seasons, particularly autumn, are exceptional. Here's the full picture.
Temperature through the year
The chart below shows average daytime highs and overnight lows for each month. The shaded band between them is your typical day — the temperature range you'll move through from morning to afternoon.
The most striking thing about this chart is the stability at the top. Murwillumbah's summer highs barely move — you're looking at 27–28°C from November right through to March, with very little variation. Winters do dip, but not dramatically: the coldest nights of the year (July, August) sit around 9–10°C, which is significantly warmer than most of inland NSW.
The four seasons
Rainfall: how wet is Murwillumbah?
The short answer: very. Murwillumbah receives around 1,510mm of rain per year — almost 25% more than Sydney and nearly 50% more than Brisbane. This is the direct result of the Wollumbin caldera catchment: the steep volcanic ranges to the west and south force orographic lifting of moisture-laden subtropical air, which dumps rain on the ranges and the valley below.
The wet season runs roughly from October through to March, with the three summer months (December, January, February) each topping 170mm. The driest months are July and August — still not bone-dry (no month is truly without rain), but a different world compared to the summer numbers. What's notable is how quickly the transition happens: March is still quite wet, April significantly less so, and by July you're under 70mm.
The Mt Warning effect: Wollumbin (Mt Warning) sits at 1,157 metres and is typically the first place in mainland Australia to receive sunlight each morning. The caldera ranges force moist subtropical air upward, where it cools and condenses. This orographic rainfall effect is why the Tweed Valley receives so much more rain than coastal towns just 30km away.
How Murwillumbah compares to other Australian cities
Murwillumbah is genuinely one of the wetter places in NSW. Here's where it sits relative to other major Australian cities.
Flood season: when rain gets serious
Murwillumbah's flood history is a big subject — one we've covered in a separate dedicated guide. But in the context of understanding the weather here, the key point is this: January to March is flood season. This is when east coast lows, tropical lows and La Niña patterns can dump extraordinary rain on the Wollumbin catchment in a short period. The Tweed River rises fast when that happens.
Major historical flood years: Significant flooding has occurred in 1954, 1974, 1989, 2017 and most severely in February 2022, when the river reached approximately 14 metres at the Murwillumbah gauge — the highest on record in the modern era. If you're buying property anywhere in the valley, Tweed Shire Council's flood mapping tool is essential reading.
Outside of January–March, flooding risk drops significantly. But the valley's topography means it can never be entirely ruled out when major weather events arrive. See our full guide to flooding in Murwillumbah for everything you need to know about overlays, insurance and what's changed since 2022.
Humidity: what it actually feels like
The temperature data above tells half the story. The other half is humidity. In summer, Murwillumbah is a genuine subtropical experience: relative humidity regularly sits above 75%, and overnight lows that look comfortable on paper (21°C) can feel sticky and airless. This is the part that surprises newcomers.
The good news is that winter humidity drops dramatically — to around 55–65% — which is why the actual experience of July in Murwillumbah feels so much better than the temperature numbers alone might suggest. A 19°C day with low humidity and clear skies in the Tweed Valley is a genuinely pleasant place to be.
| Summer humidity (Dec–Feb) | 75–85% average relative humidity |
| Winter humidity (Jun–Aug) | 55–65% average relative humidity |
| Annual sunshine | ~2,600 hours per year |
| Record high temperature | ~43°C (rare extreme heat events) |
| Record low temperature | ~2°C (July/August cold snaps) |
| Average annual rain days | ~139 days with measurable rain |
| Frost risk | Very rare in town; possible on surrounding hills in cold snaps |
| Snow | Essentially never in town |
Best time to visit Murwillumbah
The chart below rates each month as a visitor experience — combining temperature, rainfall, humidity and general liveability.
If you're planning a trip and have flexibility, May through August is the window to aim for. The town is quieter, the weather is at its most predictable, and you can genuinely enjoy the valley without wilting. July is the standout — the driest month of the year with reliably sunny days and cool, clear nights. The Tweed Valley in winter light, with the caldera ranges on the horizon, is a different place to the humid summer version.
What to pack for Murwillumbah
Visiting in summer (November–March): light breathable clothing, rain jacket (non-negotiable — afternoon storms can appear quickly), sunscreen. Don't underestimate the UV index; at this latitude it regularly hits the extreme range in summer months.
Visiting in winter (June–August): layers are your friend. Days can reach 20°C in the sun but mornings and evenings drop to 10°C or below. A fleece or light jacket and a warmer option for evenings covers most scenarios. Rain gear is still worth having — even July can produce a rainy day.
Visiting in autumn or spring: somewhere between the two. April and September are arguably the most versatile months — warm enough to not need heavy layers, dry enough to not require constant rain gear. These are excellent months for the hinterland walks and the caldera trails.
Local tip: The Bureau of Meteorology's Murwillumbah weather station (Station 058198) provides the most accurate local readings. For flood watches and severe weather alerts specific to the Tweed Valley, the BoM website and Tweed Shire Council's emergency alerts are the most reliable sources.