AI-generatedLightning Ridge at a glance
- Best time
- Apr – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jan · 36°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,970 h
- Rain a year
- 423 mm
- Climate
- Subtropical
- Time zone
- UTC+11 / UTC+10
- Elevation
- 149 m
Climate in Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge has a subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 36 °C, while July is the coolest at 19 °C. With around 2,970 hours of sunshine a year, Lightning Ridge is sunny; December is the sunniest month with 10.0 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Lightning Ridge
The best time to visit Lightning Ridge is from April to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from April to September. From December to February it can get very hot, with highs of up to 36 °C. The wettest month is January with 53 mm of precipitation.
Lightning Ridge through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Lightning Ridge in spring
Sep – Nov
Excellent
- 26–32 °C by day
- 8.8 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days in all
Lightning Ridge in summer
Dec – Feb
Fair
- 34–36 °C by day
- 9.5 h of sun a day
- 16 rainy days in all
Lightning Ridge in autumn
Mar – May
Excellent
- 23–32 °C by day
- 7.6 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days in all
Lightning Ridge in winter
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 19–22 °C by day
- 6.5 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Apr – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Peak heat
Dec – Feb
Highs of 33 °C or more
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Lightning Ridge for you.
Your best months: May, August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Excellent
Best time to visit: April – September
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 19°
- Midday, 13:00: about 29°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 29°
- Evening, 20:00: about 23°
- Night, 23:00: about 19°
06:3119:16
Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:16–07:03 · evening 18:45–19:31
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:07–06:16 · evening 19:31–19:40
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Lightning Ridge compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs rise from about 28° at the start of the month to 31° at the end. The days get 0.8 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 28° | 31° |
| Night-time low | 13° | 16° |
| Daylight | 12.3 h | 13.2 h |
What is the weather like in Lightning Ridge in October?
In October, Lightning Ridge is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 8.8 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 35 mm in total. On about 14 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 12 h 45 min06:31 – 19:16
- UV index
- 10 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 19 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 30 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 14 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+11offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %66 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %97 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %96 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Nature escape”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Water bottle – drink plenty
- A jumper for the evenings
Compare two months in Lightning Ridge
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
September has the better holiday weather in Lightning Ridge: score 98 against 81. In September, days are 3 °C cooler than in October. September has 2 fewer rainy days.
| Month | October | September |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 81 | 98better |
| Daytime high | 29° | 26° |
| Night-time low | 15° | 11° |
| Sunshine | 8.8 h | 8.5 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 3better |
| Rainfall | 35 mm | 27 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Lightning Ridge month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
46January36° · 9.7 h
In January, Lightning Ridge is very hot: daytime highs average 36 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. With around 9.7 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 53 mm. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in January48February34° · 8.9 h
In February, Lightning Ridge is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sun shines for around 8.9 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 40 mm in total. On about 24 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in February61March32° · 8.3 h
In March, Lightning Ridge is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sun shines for around 8.3 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 42 mm in total. On about 22 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in March91April28° · 7.9 h
In April, Lightning Ridge is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 7.9 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 21 mm in total. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in April92May23° · 6.7 h
In May, Lightning Ridge is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 29 mm in total. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in May89June19° · 5.9 h
In June, Lightning Ridge is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 34 mm in total. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in June91July19° · 6.3 h
In July, Lightning Ridge is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. Expect around 6.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 25 mm in total. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in July95August22° · 7.4 h
In August, Lightning Ridge is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 22 mm in total. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in August98September26° · 8.5 h
In September, Lightning Ridge is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sun shines for around 8.5 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 27 mm in total. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in September81October29° · 8.8 h
In October, Lightning Ridge is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 8.8 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 35 mm in total. On about 14 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in October62November32° · 9.2 h
In November, Lightning Ridge is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. With around 9.2 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 51 mm. On about 19 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in November47December34° · 10.0 h
In December, Lightning Ridge is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. With around 10.0 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 44 mm. On about 26 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Lightning Ridge.
Lightning Ridge in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Lightning Ridge
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
PleasantOctober: nights around 15°. Ideal for sleeping, often with the window open.
The coolest nights are in July (6°), the warmest in January (23°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from December to March; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in April and from October to November. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from July to August, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 46 | 36° | 23° | 9.7 h | 6 | 53 |
| FebruaryFeb | 48 | 34° | 22° | 8.9 h | 5 | 40 |
| MarchMar | 61 | 32° | 20° | 8.3 h | 5 | 42 |
| AprilApr | 91 | 28° | 15° | 7.9 h | 3 | 21 |
| MayMay | 92 | 23° | 11° | 6.7 h | 4 | 29 |
| JuneJun | 89 | 19° | 8° | 5.9 h | 4 | 34 |
| JulyJul | 91 | 19° | 6° | 6.3 h | 4 | 25 |
| AugustAug | 95 | 22° | 7° | 7.4 h | 3 | 22 |
| SeptemberSep | 98 | 26° | 11° | 8.5 h | 3 | 27 |
| OctoberOct | 81 | 29° | 15° | 8.8 h | 5 | 35 |
| NovemberNov | 62 | 32° | 18° | 9.2 h | 6 | 51 |
| DecemberDec | 47 | 34° | 21° | 10.0 h | 5 | 44 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
29.43° S, 147.98° E · 149 m · Australia/Sydney
Sunshine hours in Lightning Ridge
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 8.8 of 12.8 hours of daylight in Lightning Ridge, 69 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain in Lightning Ridge: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Lightning Ridge has about 5 rainy days with 35 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Lightning Ridge
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 10 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 12).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 15 min
- Light brown skin
- about 25 min
- Olive skin
- about 30 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind and clouds in Lightning Ridge
How breezy and how cloudy Lightning Ridge is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Lightning Ridge typically peaks at 19 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 30 % of the sky over Lightning Ridge: mostly sunny, with about 8.8 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Lightning Ridge
How often the day gets hot in Lightning Ridge (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Lightning Ridge has about 14 hot days, with an average daytime high of 29 °C: some hot or muggy days. Single hot or muggy days are possible; a hat and water bottle are enough.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Planning a trip to Lightning Ridge
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Lightning Ridge in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Lightning Ridge has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 94) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 47).
- 82
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Excellent
- 29 °C by day
- 8.0 h of sun a day
- 3 rainy days a month
- 91
May half-term
May – Jun
Excellent
- 22 °C by day
- 6.5 h of sun a day
- 4 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 94
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 21 °C by day
- 7.0 h of sun a day
- 3 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 81
October half-term
Oct
Excellent
- 29 °C by day
- 8.8 h of sun a day
- 5 rainy days a month
- 47
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Fair
- 35 °C by day
- 9.9 h of sun a day
- 6 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 20 h 20 min
- Distance
- 16,440 km
- Time zone
- UTC+11
- Jet lag
- About 10 days (10 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Compare & alternatives
Lightning Ridge compared
Put Lightning Ridge side by side with another destination.
Lightning Ridge vs Moree
In October the holiday weather in Lightning Ridge and Moree is about equally good (score 81 vs 82). During the day it is about as warm in Moree as in Lightning Ridge.
| in October | Lightning Ridge | Moree |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 81 | 82 |
| Daytime high | 29° | 29° |
| Sunshine | 9 h | 9 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 6 |
| Best time | Apr – Sep | Apr – Oct |
Through the year
Australia in October: the best places
In October, Lightning Ridge ranks 25 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Griffith25°96
- 2Toowoomba26°94
- 3Dubbo26°93
- 4Mudgee24°92
- 5Tamworth25°91
- 6Brisbane26°89
- 7Sunshine Coast26°23°89
- 8Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise)27°23°88
- 25Lightning RidgeThis page29°81
Near Lightning Ridge
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Lightning Ridge
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Lightning Ridge's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Lightning Ridge
When is the best time to visit Lightning Ridge?
The best time to visit Lightning Ridge is from April to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Lightning Ridge?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 36 °C and nights around 23 °C. July is the coolest month at 19 °C.
When does it rain most in Lightning Ridge?
The wettest month is January with 53 mm of precipitation. The driest month is April with 21 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Lightning Ridge get?
Lightning Ridge gets around 2,970 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is December with 10.0 hours a day; in June there are 5.9 hours a day.
What time zone is Lightning Ridge in?
Lightning Ridge is on UTC+11 in January and UTC+10 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Lightning Ridge?
A nonstop flight from London to Lightning Ridge takes about 20 h 20 min, for a straight-line distance of about 16,440 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Lightning Ridge?
Lightning Ridge has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 94) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 47). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 82, May half-term 91, summer holidays 94, October half-term 81, Christmas holidays 47.