The Wangetti Region can be divided into two main areas, the coastal plain to the east of the escarpment, and the higher, predominantly wet rainforest area to the west.
The mountain ranges to the south of Wangetti actually reach the coast at Buchan's Point, and form a strong barrier, diverting the moist southerly winds further out to sea. The predominantly South-East winds that occur for much of the year are further confounded by the Macalister Range running parallel to the winds from Buchan's Point to just north of Wangetti. The result is that Wangetti is left in a type of rain shadow where the annual rainfall is significantly below that of both Cairns and Port Douglas, despite the proximity.
For this reason, the rainforest that grows around permanent and seasonal creeks, and also on the beach foreshore, is unique, dry type rainforest, existing in a delicate ecological balance.
Further up the mountain, beyond the east facing escarpment, the rainfall is more typical and the rainforest is lush and thick.
Average temperatures in Wangetti are consistently around 2°C below both Cairns and Port Douglas, which partially offsets the lower average rainfall, giving the coastal dune rainforest a little extra breathing space. Humidity, however, is also lower on the coastal plains region, which has lead to the formation of predominantly dry sclerophyll forest, the exception being on the narrow beach strip, east of the highway, and isolated pockets in the descending valleys which fall from the Macalister Range.
Wangetti Long-Term Averages
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Annual |
|
Mean Max (°C) |
30.2 |
29.8 |
28.9 |
27.4 |
25.6 |
23.9 |
23.4 |
24.6 |
26.6 |
28.5 |
29.8 |
30.4 |
27.4 |
Mean Min (°C) |
23.6 |
23.5 |
23.1 |
22.2 |
20.9 |
19.3 |
18.5 |
18.8 |
19.9 |
21.3 |
22.5 |
23.4 |
21.4 |
Mean Rain (mm) |
302.9 |
314.6 |
326.9 |
172.4 |
74.2 |
47.3 |
27.5 |
27.4 |
27.2 |
33.7 |
67.5 |
158.4 |
1570.0 |
Mean Rain Days |
13.7 |
13.7 |
14.9 |
13.5 |
10.8 |
8.0 |
6.7 |
6.5 |
6.0 |
5.7 |
7.3 |
10.4 |
116.3 |
* All data extrapolated from known weather data for Wangetti
Tropical Cyclone Seen From A Weather Satellite
