Oszea Coastal Sand sneakers on a Brisbane riverside walk during a summer storm

Wet-Weather Guide to Brisbane: Summer Storms and What to Wear on Your Feet

Brisbane gets a little over 1,000 mm of rain a year, and most of it falls from December to March, often as short, heavy afternoon storms on hot, humid days. Winter and early spring are much drier. Plan outdoor time for the morning in summer, keep an eye on the radar after lunch, and choose shoes that cope with both a downpour and the heat.

What the BoM data shows

The Bureau of Meteorology's Brisbane station (040913, near the city centre) gives a clear picture. The figures below are BoM long-term means: temperatures and rain days from 1999–2026, rainfall from 19 years of data in the same period, and 3pm humidity from 1999–2010.

Month Rain (mm) Days ≥1 mm Mean max (°C) 3pm humidity (%)
Jan 140.0 8.5 30.4 57
Feb 171.7 9.6 30.2 59
Mar 146.9 10.1 29.1 57
Apr 63.3 7.1 27.2 54
May 74.5 6.6 24.5 49
Jun 56.2 6.1 22.1 52
Jul 31.1 4.0 22.0 44
Aug 33.3 3.9 23.5 43
Sep 27.6 3.6 25.7 48
Oct 86.6 7.4 27.2 51
Nov 101.8 8.0 28.4 56
Dec 137.9 8.8 29.7 57
Year 1,055.9 83.7 26.7 52

Source: Bureau of Meteorology, climate statistics for Brisbane (040913).

Two things stand out. First, February is the wettest month (171.7 mm) but has fewer than ten rain days, so summer rain comes in big bursts rather than all-day drizzle. Second, September is the driest month (27.6 mm). For how Brisbane compares with Sydney and Melbourne, see our BoM rainy-days comparison.

Storm season and the afternoon pattern

Brisbane's storm season builds through spring. A study by Bureau of Meteorology and University of Queensland researchers describes November to January as the peak of the storm season, with high-impact storms tending to line up with the mid-afternoon heating peak. The same paper notes the Brisbane area reports more large hail and damaging wind gusts than any other Australian capital, and lists events such as the 27 November 2014 hailstorm, when hail reached 70 mm in the CBD.

In practice that means:

  • Do your walks, park runs and errands in the morning on hot, sticky days.
  • Check the BoM radar and warnings from early afternoon; storms can build quickly.
  • Know where your shelter is: an awning, a CityCat terminal, a cafe.
  • Never walk, ride or drive through floodwater. The Queensland Government's advice is simple: if it's flooded, forget it. Floodwater can hide debris, damaged paths and disease.

Humidity and heat: why breathability matters

Summer maximums average around 30°C from December to February, with overnight lows above 20°C. Add afternoon humidity in the high 50s and you have feet that sweat even on a dry day. A shoe that keeps rain out but traps heat just swaps one kind of wet for another. Look for breathable uppers and moisture-wicking socks, and give shoes a full day to dry between wears. Our explainer on whether waterproof shoes are breathable covers how membranes handle sweat.

South Bank and rainy-day options

South Bank is the easy answer to a wet Brisbane afternoon because so much of it is indoors or a short dash apart.

  • QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art), Queensland Museum Kurilpa and QPAC sit together in the cultural precinct.
  • The Arbour, the bougainvillea-covered walkway along the Clem Jones Promenade, gives partial cover between the precinct and Streets Beach.
  • Streets Beach, the inner-city lagoon, is a good swim once a storm has fully passed and the lightning has cleared.
  • Collective Markets on Little Stanley Street run across weekends for a browse between showers.

Commuting by CityCat

The CityCat runs along the Brisbane River between UQ St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton, stopping at 22 terminals, with off-peak services usually every 15 to 30 minutes, according to Brisbane City Council. It's one of the nicest ways to get to work in summer, and the terminals give you a covered spot to wait out a shower.

A few wet-weather tips: wharf ramps and pontoons get slippery when wet, so take them slowly. In severe weather, services can be suspended; council stopped CityCat and ferry services during Tropical Cyclone Alfred, for example. Check Translink or council updates before you leave on a stormy day, and have a bus backup in mind.

Walks for in-between weather

  • Brisbane Riverwalk: links New Farm to the CBD via Howard Smith Wharves and on to the City Botanic Gardens. The original floating walkway was washed away in the 2011 floods; the current version, reopened in 2014, is suspended above the water and built to withstand much bigger floods, with separate lanes for walkers and cyclists.
  • City Botanic Gardens: the flat riverside paths at the end of the Riverwalk suit a short walk between showers.
  • Bush tracks around Mt Coot-tha get muddy and slippery after summer rain. For those, a proper hiking boot or trail shoe is the right tool; see our hiking and trail shoe guide.

Dog parks after rain

Brisbane City Council says most of its off-leash areas are fully fenced, with seating, water, bins and shade. Popular ones include Perrin Park (Toowong), Sunset Park (Bardon), Kokoda Park (Gordon Park) and Crosby Park (Albion). There are also foreshore off-leash areas at Manly, Sandgate (Shorncliffe) and Kedron Brook at Nudgee, where dogs can play in the water. After a storm, expect soaked grass and muddy patches by the gate and water bowls. Morning visits are cooler and usually drier underfoot in summer.

What to wear on your feet

Brisbane asks a lot of shoes: heavy rain for an hour, then steam and heat. For commuting, the CityCat, South Bank and wet dog-park grass, a breathable waterproof everyday sneaker is a sensible choice.

We make Oszea, so weigh that accordingly. Our Tasman Essentials and Urban Essentials use ZEA-TEX 4-layer construction: a breathable knit outer, a waterproof membrane, a flexible elastomer layer and a soft lining. They're designed for rain, puddles and wet grass, and they're lightweight and breathable for humid days. They are not made for full submersion, so don't wade through flooded paths in them (and don't wade through floodwater at all). They're also not hiking or trail shoes. If they get muddy at the dog park, wipe them clean and air dry; see how to dry wet shoes.

FAQ

What is the wettest month in Brisbane?

February, with a mean of 171.7 mm at BoM's Brisbane station (040913), followed by March (146.9 mm) and January (140.0 mm).

When is storm season in Brisbane?

Storms build through spring, and BoM and University of Queensland researchers describe November to January as the peak. Storms most often hit in the mid to late afternoon.

How many rainy days does Brisbane get a year?

About 84 days with 1 mm or more (83.7 on average, BoM Brisbane station, 1999–2026).

Do CityCats run in the rain?

Yes, CityCats run in normal rain. Services can be suspended in severe weather or dangerous river conditions, so check updates on stormy days.

Should I wear waterproof shoes in Brisbane's heat?

Only if they breathe. Brisbane summers are hot and humid, so a non-breathable waterproof shoe will leave your feet damp from sweat. Look for a breathable waterproof membrane and good socks.

Sources

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