When is tropical cyclone season in Australia in 2026?

The official Australian-region season runs 1 November to 30 April. Most systems form in that window, though BOM notes activity can appear outside it. Darwin, Katherine corridors, Broome, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, and nearby coasts carry the core risk of destructive winds, flooding rain, and coastal inundation: Weather in Australia and Rain in Australia.

Brisbane sits south of the classic landfall hotspot belt yet still watches northern systems and summer storm seasons. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide are not primary cyclone cities; their summer hazards lean heat, wind, and bushfire smoke instead.

Build a household plan before November: water, food, power banks, documents, and a place to shelter that matches local advice. Housing near surge-prone foreshores or floodways needs extra scrutiny. Employers and schools may close on warning days. Humid wet-season air already stresses sleep and mould control: Humidity in Australia.

Follow BOM cyclone track maps and coastal warnings, not rumour chains. Insurance, strata rules, and rental clauses matter; ask what windows, shutters, and claim processes look like before you sign. Pair cyclone readiness with heat and storm habits for the same months: Summer heat.